Allan, Matthew

Matthew Allan was a left-footed ruckman who came to Essendon after a successful career with Carlton. After a long apprenticeship to Carlton's rucking regular, Justin Madden, he played a total of 140 games and kicked 72 goals for Carlton between 1994 and 2003.

He debuted in 1994 and was the 1000th player to represent the club. In 1999, he won the best and fairest player award, won All-Australian selection, was selected for the International Rules series and came equal 3rd in that year's Brownlow Medal. But he struggled with a series of foot injuries over the next few years and a problem with "under the table" payments, so, after 140 games, he sought a new start elsewhere.

He was drafted from Carlton in the 2003 National Draft in exchange for pick number 57.

Allan made his debut in Round 1, 2004, against Port Adelaide and went on to play 20 solid games for the season, sharing the Club's ruck duties with David Hille. He missed the last four home and away games with a knee injury, but returned for the Club's two finals games.

2005 was frustrating for the big man and he added only one game to his 2004 tally because of a recurring problem with his knee which required surgery. He also experienced soft tissue injuries in his last couple of years, which he attributed to over-training.

Against the wishes of his coach Kevin Sheedy, Allan announced his retirement from football on 20 September 2005, citing the frustration of recurring injuries.

He served as Bendigo Bombers General Manager from 2006 to 2007.