One of the most-anticipated showdowns of West Coast’s season won’t eventuate, with Oscar Allen set to miss his homecoming grudge match in July after being ruled out for at least three months with a foot injury.

In a huge blow for Brisbane’s hopes of a premiership three-peat, Allen will be sidelined until at least the final month of the home-and-away season after requiring surgery.

Having walked out on the Eagles last year in a drawn-out saga, the former co-captain’s return to the west for the Lions’ round 19 clash was set to be a blockbuster reunion.

However, West Coast fans will not be able to let their former spearhead know how they feel about his departure.

Allen limped off in the final quarter of Sunday’s big win over Adelaide, with subsequent scans revealing a foot fracture.

7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed he will undergo surgery on Wednesday, and will miss at least three months with the Lions putting his timeline at 12-14 weeks.

It’s the latest in a long list of injuries for the 27-year-old, whose final years at the Eagles were riddled by injuries.

Allen managed just 12 games in 2025 due to calf and Achilles issues, while he played only 11 in 2024 due to a serious knee injury.

He also missed the entire 2022 season with a foot injury.

Allen had played all seven games for the Lions this year, kicking at least a goal in every match, including two bags of three against Collingwood and North Melbourne.

“It was challenging at times (last year). Probably the other frustration was my body not being able to go out there and perform to the level or the expectations that I set for myself, so that was hard for me,” he told Channel 7’s Sunday Footy Feast.

“I feel like I’m an 18-year-old now getting drafted for the first time, moving away from home like 95 per cent of draftees do, so it’s been great moving here to Brissy.”

He spoke earlier this season about how his body was the best it had felt in years after tweaking his gym routine.

“My body’s responded really well to it ... it’s probably the best I’ve felt in my body for five years,” he told reporters in March.

“I’ve had a lot of interruptions ... it’s more the week to week, ability to get out and train, work on my craft and get better.

“I’ve been missing a lot of training sessions the last few years. I’ve been really glad to get out there pretty much every main session so far. That’s been a goal and it’s worked well, building confidence.”

The injury is a significant blow to Brisbane’s key position stocks, with Eric Hipwood and Jack Payne sidelined, as well as Darcy Gardiner.

It could see coach Chris Fagan move Ty Gallop back into the forward line, having found success in defence this season, or put his trust in young star Logan Morris to continue to deliver averging 2.2 goals from his six games this season.

In better news, veteran Dayne Zorko is expected to return from a calf injury for Saturday’s clash against Essendon while defender Noah Answerth works through concussion protocols.