In the space of two National Championships games, Bo Allan has shirtfronted some of the best midfielders in the country and propelled himself into top-10 conversations.
The Western Australia captain brings all the dogged determination, aggression and brute force you could ask of a skipper. Internally, he's lauded for his leadership. Externally, it's clear to see why.
In his dominant performance against undefeated Vic Metro on the weekend, Allan twice flew back into oncoming traffic to impact aerially, then returned to his midfield post to lay big hits and bone crunching tackles.
His unselfish play was on display in the final term when he passed up what would have been his third goal of the second half to find a teammate in a better position. It's team over individual for Allan, which isn't always the case at the pinnacle of junior football.
The 18-year-old is an imposing figure. Listed at 191cm and 84kg, the Peel star excelled on-ball for the Sandgropers but cut his teeth to start the year off halfback against men in the WAFL.
He acquitted himself well but endured an interrupted campaign with Achilles soreness in the preseason and a back injury ruling him out of WA's first national championships outing.
Despite the injury concerns, Allan has returned in excellent condition, averaging 19 disposals and 5.5 tackles in the engine room as his side blasted through South Australia and took it right up to Vic Metro. His two goals on the weekend against the premier midfield the carnival has to offer were truly superb.
He first swooped onto a loose ball and snapped on his preferred left boot to put his side ahead in the third term, then followed it up three minutes later with a penetrating strike from the edge of the centre square after triggering WA's attack from halfback.
WA's top draft prospect Bo Allan will have clubs considering in the top 10 based on his championships to date.
— Jasper Chellappah (@Jasperc53) June 25, 2024
The brute force skipper is the next #AFLDraft profile up for @ESPNAusNZ, dropping tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/PvTq9RTBuF
There's something wonderfully old school about his play. Allan doesn't sport black boots with socks hoisted up to the knees, but he does play a rough as guts brand befitting 1980s footy.
The skipper is uncompromising at the coalface and tenacious in his pursuit of the man. You'll see him sprint off halfback to link play together, then launch himself to smother balls and detour 20 metres to shepherd for a teammate.
Style and poise get left at the door as Allan wills the ball forward. When presented with the option of going around or through his opponent, he chooses the latter.
It's crash and bash footy at its very best, but the power athlete also possesses genuine top-end speed which makes him an important transition runner when the footy spills free.
The rugged contested ability, physicality, leadership and power running gives Allan an Elliot Yeo resemblance. There's nothing stylish about his play, but the powerhouse midfielder continues to beat his classier opponents, and continues to ascend AFL draft boards.
It's a unique blend of old and new-age game styles that make Allan a likely first-round talent come November, and a top-10 chance in a draft loaded with midfielders.