Former West Coast Eagles captain-turned-premiership Lion Oscar Allen has treated himself to a victory lap on social media, taking aim at his detractors when celebrating his new side's recent triumph.
Allen's free agency decision became quite the circus last season, as his meeting with rivals - notably Hawthorn - drew the ire of many, given his status as the struggling Eagles' skipper.
At one point, the Eagles put their man up for a press conference, in which he apologised for his actions before stepping away from the club to reset mentally.
The Hawks did not want to pony up the requisite cash to secure the key forward, allowing the waiting-in-the-wings, back-to-back premiers to swoop in and make Allen a Lion.
Now, after 25 goals in 15 matches in his first season in the River City, Allen has played his part in helping those back-to-back premiers go one better, truly entrenching themselves as one of the greatest sides of all time.
Allen did not mis the opportunity to beat his chest in the wake of that development.
"Thank you to everyone who was made our first year in QLD the best of my life," his Instagram post read.
"All of the love and support has kept me going through the tough times."
"And thanks to those who wrote me off. I'll stay in there rent free. Can't take this one away from me 🥱"
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Commenters were quick to knock the 27-year-old.
"Mate you left a struggling club as a captain to waltz into the back to back premiers, this premiership for YOU is hardly earned mate," one comment read.
"Yes mate, you really proved all the haters wrong by going from the worst team in the comp to the back to back champs," another read.
The tough times Allen referenced no doubt centre around the portion of the season he spent toiling away in the reserves, a year after holding a coveted captaincy position at an AFL club.
Allen failed to finish in the top 10 of his new club's best and fairest award.
