Brisbane Lions’ $1 Million Signing Set for Lengthy Absence in 2026 Due to Foot Injury

Brisbane’s star forward, Oscar Allen, is set to be sidelined for as long as 14 weeks after scans confirmed he has a fracture in his right foot, necessitating surgery.

The key forward left the field in the closing stages of Brisbane’s victory over Adelaide, following an awkward landing during a marking contest.

He did not return to play and is now anticipated to be out of action until potentially the final month of the home-and-away season.

This is a significant blow for Brisbane, who signed the key forward as a free agent in the off-season.

Allen reportedly inked a six-year deal worth almost $1 million per season upon his switch from West Coast.

At that time, he was serving as the Eagles’ captain, with the Perth-based club receiving pick two as compensation for his exit.

So far this season, Allen has scored 12 goals for the Lions across seven matches.

The 27-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years, managing just 30 appearances over the last three seasons and missing all of 2022.

He also missed a significant portion of the 2025 season due to calf and Achilles injuries.

The club’s decision to sign him came with a certain level of risk, especially as they also acquired free agent ruckman Sam Draper, who was recovering from a torn Achilles sustained at Essendon.

Despite this setback, Brisbane has a strong history of aiding injury-prone players in their recovery, with names like Joe Daniher and Lincoln McCarthy showcasing remarkable comebacks.

Furthermore, the Lions are still without fellow key forward Eric Hipwood, who is on the mend from a torn ACL and is not expected to return until the mid-season.

On a positive note, veteran defender Dayne Zorko is expected to make his return from a calf injury for the Round Eight clash against Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

Currently, Brisbane sits sixth on the ladder with four wins from their seven matches.