Oscar Allen Opens Up on Mental Health Struggles

West Coast Eagles captain Oscar Allen has spoken candidly about his mental health struggles following public scrutiny over his private dinner with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, which many fans misinterpreted and criticized. Allen clarified that the meeting was a longstanding personal relationship and not a public 'crisis meeting' as reported, emphasizing it was a private conversation at his home. The intense backlash, coupled with his poor on-field performance, led Allen to temporarily step away from the club for his well-being. He described feeling as if 'everyone hated me,' highlighting how the convergence of his football identity and personal self made the period especially challenging. With strong support from his family, partner, and the club, Allen has returned to playing and urged others struggling with mental health to seek support and consider stepping back from social media. He expressed excitement about focusing again on football and moving forward.