Allen Christensen Biography

Allen Christensen announces his retirement after 133 games with Geelong and Brisbane, including a premiership in 2011.

"Obviously the flag is something I will look back on with great fondness, but it happened so long ago and I was so young and at the time I guess I was just thinking about continuously trying to get better and better," Christensen said.

"Now it is all over. I can say I'm very fortunate to have had the career I've had, I played at two big clubs and enjoyed some success."

Rejuvenated Lion Allen Christensen says footy is fun again and he won't be taking his place in Brisbane's senior team for granted.

Christensen spent two months in the NEAFL after being dropped earlier in the season, before returning with a bang against St Kilda to play arguably his best game in Brisbane colours.

"I'm doing things I was doing when I was 16 or 17 and coming through the ranks, it's been exciting," he said.

"It is just fun being out there and I won't take it for granted like maybe what I was doing three or four years ago when I was playing every week."

Allen Christensen opens up about the gambling addiction that led to his request for a trade from Geelong to Brisbane more than four years ago.

He said a chat with Geelong football manager Neil Balme following the 2014 season was the catalyst for his move.

"He came knocking on the door and told me he'd been hearing things about me owing money to some people," Christensen said.

"(Balme said) We need to help you. I'm forever grateful for that because that was a lightbulb moment for me."

Christensen met with Brisbane and said he told the Lions "absolutely everything" about his problems.

"At the time I thought I needed to make a decision for me to stop that cycle," he said.

"Everywhere I walked in Geelong … that's the pub I turned $30 into $5000 or that's the pub we turned $1000 into $5, everywhere I walked.

"I don't know if I could have gone cold turkey straight away if I didn't leave Geelong. I'm forever grateful to Brisbane for taking a chance on me."

Dayne Zorko will captain Brisbane in 2019 after the club announced an eight-man leadership group that also included recruit Lachie Neale.

Along with Neale, rugged defender Darcy Gardiner and young midfielder Jarrod Berry have been added.

They join established leaders Harris Andrews, Stefan Martin, Ryan Lester and Allen Christensen.

Allen Christensen signs a one-year contract extension to remain at Brisbane for 2019.

After a horror run of collarbone injuries in 2016 and 2017, Christensen has played all 12 games so far in 2018.

"I've really enjoyed my time here. I've obviously had my ups and downs through injury but to be back out there again, I'm loving it," Christensen said.

Allen Christensen can't wait to play again in 2018.

The 26-year-old has not played since round 11, 2016, when he broke his collarbone.

The 2011 Geelong premiership winner damaged it again when he tried to launch a comeback in early 2017.

And in April he copped yet another setback when a crack was found in the surgical plate supposed to be protecting his troublesome collarbone.

"When they found the plate was broken it was almost laughable - I couldn't believe it," Christensen said.

"The club gave me a couple of weeks off to get my mind right.

"But I changed my whole mindset about the injury - I took it as an opportunity to really help the club.

"I thought 'this is not going to be about me anymore, it is about how I can help the club'."

Dayne Beams will captain the Brisbane Lions for a second straight season in 2018.

Beams will be deputised by Dayne Zorko who takes the vice-captain role, while Harris Andrews has been promoted as deputy vice-captain.

Stefan Martin, Ryan Lester and Allen Christensen will remain as leaders for the club.

After missing a season and a half of football, Allen Christensen is itching to get back out on the park.

"The game has changed since midway through last year so much," he said.

"It's exciting. I'm obviously going to be pretty nervous when we run out, even if it's a pre-season game.

"Hopefully it's like riding a bike."

Allen Christensen says he has had to look beyond the football field to help him get through a second long injury rehabilitation.

The clever midfielder has had a shocking run of luck since the middle of last season, fracturing his collarbone twice and then cracking the steel plate that had been inserted to strengthen the area.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was difficult,” he said.

“I’ve had my moments, my ups and downs.

“You get into training, you prepare with the boys, you do everything with them, and then you get to Thursday and Friday and realise you’re not playing.

“I was stiff the last time. The plate broke.

“I played the NEAFL game on the Saturday and was looking forward to hopefully playing AFL the next week, and it all sort of – pardon the French – the shit hit the fan on the Monday.

“It’s unlucky. It’s something the surgeon has never seen.”

Allen Christensen's season is over after further problems with his injured shoulder.

Christensen played last weekend in the NEAFL but pulled up sore after his comeback game.

Scans revealed a crack had developed in the surgical steel plate that had been implanted to strengthen his injured collarbone.

Dayne Beams will lead the Brisbane Lions in 2017 after being confirmed as the club's new captain, taking over from Tom Rockliff, who was named vice-captain.

Dayne Zorko is the deputy vice-captain, while Stefan Martin, Allen Christensen, Ryan Lester and Harris Andrews make up the rest of the seven-man leadership group.

"I like to think I'm an action-based leader, I lead by example," Beams said.

"I do what I say and I think the overriding thing is I'm really passionate about the football club and where it's heading.

"We've got some emerging young talent and I'm looking forward to seeing that blossom."

Allen Christensen breaks his collarbone at training and is expected to be sidelined for up to two months, pending scans.

After missing much of 2016 with a shoulder injury, Allen Christensen is hoping for a strong personal showing in 2017.

"We thought at a stage there that I might get back before the end of the year but it was not to be and it was easier to take the safe option for me and make sure I got a full pre-season in," Christensen said about his injury.

"It's healed really well and I'm back into full contact. I've had no problems at all."

Christensen says he is clear about his role in 2017.

"I'll probably play a lot more forward, speaking to Fages (coach Chris Fagan), just becoming that dangerous forward who kicks goals but also puts on a lot of defensive pressure," he said.

Allen Christensen will miss eight weeks of action after breaking his collarbone in Brisbane's loss against Carlton.

Lions medical staff initially thought the 25-year-old midfielder would miss just a month, but scans revealed the break was worse than first thought.

Allen Christensen is set to miss a month of football after breaking his right collarbone in the Lions' loss to Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

Christensen was injured late in the second quarter when collected by what appeared to be a fair bump from Carlton forward Andrew Walker.

The Lions midfielder left the field as soon as he regained his feet and did not take any further part in the game.

Allen Christensen will miss the remainder of the NAB Challenge but will be fit for round one after undergoing minor finger surgery to remove a cyst.

Allen Christensen wants to prove Jason Akermanis and other critics wrong after producing the best pre-season of his career.

The Brisbane Lions midfielder has shed nearly five kilos since Akermanis took aim at him last year.

"Hopefully I won't be getting potted from Jason Akermanis this year," Christensen said.

"Looking back on it now, I probably wasn't in the greatest shape. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt me a little bit.

"All I wanted to do was go out there and try and play my best footy. It's in the past now and hopefully I can prove a few people wrong this year."

Steve Johnson's 250-game celebrations are on hold after he accepted a one-week suspension for striking Brisbane Lions midfielder and former Cats teammate Allen Christensen.

Allen Christensen expects to booed by the Geelong crowd when he takes on his old side as a Lion at Simonds Stadium but says at least he understands why it will happen.

The 24-year-old opened up about the booing of Adam Goodes, saying he couldn't understand why crowds did it.

"That's the difference. I know why I'll get booed this week, I don't know why he's getting booed," Christensen said.

"I don't really like it, but they (fans) pay their money and they do what they want to do.

"I don't think it's sinister. It's a bit like following the crowd, because everyone else is doing it, we'll do it. It's a bit strange."

Allen Christensen says fans will see him at his peak soon enough as he nears full fitness after an interrupted pre-season.

"I'm not quite there, but I'm still running at a pretty high level and covering the ground pretty well," Christensen said.

"That's all I can really do, is just keep playing games and keep getting fitter and fitter and start breaking a few more lines, which hopefully comes in the next couple of weeks."

Christensen says he is unperturbed about Jason Akermanis' suggestion earlier this month that he was carrying extra weight.

"All I worry about is what happens internally and I knew they were happy with me," he said.

"I might not be getting the numbers I was getting at Geelong, but as long as Leppa and that are happy with the forward structures and forward set-ups that I'm putting in, there's not much more I can do."

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch says a fit Allen Christensen has the potential to be a better pick up for the Brisbane Lions than former Collingwood midfielder Dayne Beams.

"He's a terrific player and there's questions whether over the long period of time Allen may potentially be a better pick up than Dayne," Leppitsch said.

"He's that good a player, I think.

"But we've just got to get him fit and healthy so he can supply those skills for us.

"This year is going to be a real management case with him. We've got to make sure we can get him through the year so he can have a full pre-season next year and his body can be at his best."

Ex-Cat Allen Christensen says he has settled in well after moving to the Brisbane Lions.

"I'm really enjoying it, it's a nice change of environment for me," Christensen said.

"A lot of the boys have come from interstate, and you don't have much family or outside friends, so we're all one big, happy family up here.

"I've been really lucky they've welcomed me so well."

New Brisbane Lions recruit Allen Christensen says his decision to leave Geelong is "completely non-football related", but did not disclose the exact reasons for his exit.

"There are a couple of underlying issues, but they're my problem and no one else's," Christensen said.

"I'm on top of everything. One of the problems is you've got to admit it.

"I'm not the only one who goes through it. I'll come out in due time and talk about it because I think I can be a really good role model to the community.

"I'll deal with that myself and with the family and friends around me."

Allen Christensen has joined the Brisbane Lions after being traded from Geelong for pick No.21.

"Allen is a fantastic player who brings some good finals experience to our young list. He offers a great injection of pace into our side and will be a valuable addition," Lions talent acquisition and retention manager Peter Schwab said.

Allen Christensen has asked the Cats to be traded to a Queensland-based club.

"Allen Christensen has expressed a desire to continue his career elsewhere due to non-football reasons," a club statement said.

"The club is considering its position in relation to Allen's request."

Allen Christensen's season is over after it was determined he requires further surgery on his troublesome back.

Allen Christensen will play his first game of the season in the Geelong's VFL clash with Port Melbourne on Saturday.

"It's fantastic news for everyone here at the club and the supporters," club physio Mike Snelling said.

"He's a much-needed player. He's been looking fantastic on the track lately, and his fitness has improved dramatically."

Geelong place Allen Christensen, Nathan Vardy and Daniel Menzel on its long-term injury list with only Mark Blicavs being upgraded from their rookie list at this stage.

Allen Christensen could miss up to half the season due to back surgery after suffering recent back and leg pain associated with a lumbar disc injury.

"Obviously this is a blow to Allen and our team in the short term, but the surgery should ensure the issue is resolved and he will be able to move and play more freely," Geelong football manager Neil Balme said.

Allen Christensen has won the respect of his teammates after a season battling through injuries in 2012.

"I was playing through a fair bit of pain. But a lot of players do it, so I don't think my teammates and coaches expected anything less," he said.

"I think having to play through pain has made stronger mentally. I reckon it's made me a stronger person and a more mature footy player."

Allen Christensen has put a pre-season wrist injury behind him and is ready to play a major role in the Cats' title defence.

"I carried it all through January, and halfway through February I finally went and got a scan. I had a couple of tears in the ligaments in the there," Christensen said.

"I'm probably still a bit wary of it, going into contests. But it's more a psychological thing now. There was a fair bit of pain going through there, but I'm fine now."

Geelong youngster Allen Christensen is the Round 18 Rising Star nominee after notching 26 disposals in a 62-point win over Richmond.

Christensen was unlucky to miss out on the nomination in Round 17 after tallying 25 touches and two goals in Geelong's win over Brisbane.

After playing six games in 2010, Allan Christensen is set for a recall to the Cats side as the likely replacement for Joel Selwood if the star onballer can't have his suspension overturned.

"He's shown at AFL level that he can handle the situations we require of him," Cats coach Chris Scott said.

"We would expect that he would come in and play well this week and hold his spot for some time."

Allen Christensen makes his AFL debut for Geelong with 8 disposals (2 kicks and 6 handballs), 3 marks and a tackle in a 11-point win over Fremantle.