Gavin Allen

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Gavin Allen
fullname = Gavin Allen
nickname = Jed


caption =
country =
position = Prop
currentclub =
dateofbirth = 30 March, 1965
placeofbirth = Cairns, Queensland
countryofbirth = Australia
height = 187 cm
weight = 98 kg
club1 = Fortitude Valley
year1start =
year1end =
appearances1 =
tries1 =
goals1 =
fieldgoals1 =
points1 =
club2 = leagueicon|St. George Dragons|16 St. George Dragons
year2start = 1987
year2end =
appearances2 = 2
tries2 = 0
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 0
club3 = leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos|16 Brisbane Broncos
year3start = 1990
year3end = 1995
appearances3 = 65
tries3 = 2
goals3 = 0
fieldgoals3 = 0
points3 = 8
teamA = leagueicon|Queensland|16 Queensland
yearAstart = 1991
yearAend = 1995
appearancesA = 8
triesA = 0
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 0
source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=566 NRL Stats] , [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Gavin_Allen.html RLP] , [http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Gavin-Allen_566.aspx Yesterday's Hero]

Gavin Allen is an Australian former rugby league player.

Career

Hailing from Cairns, Queensland, Gavin Allen started his career with Brisbane Valleys before moving to St George for the 1987-88 seasons. He was not a success and seemed unable to adapt to life in Sydney. Returning to Queensland in 1989, he made his State of Origin debut two years later. Although not big for a front-rower, Allen's exceptionally high workrate made him a vital component of the Broncos' forward pack from 1990 as they became the most feared side in the NSWRL Premiership. In 1991 Allen debuted for Queensland and played a significant role in winning a tight struggle with the more experienced NSW pack.

Allen played a major part in the Broncos forward pack that dominated St George in the 1992 grand final. After taking part in the club's win over Wigan in the World Club Challenge, Allen was a non-playing reserve in the Broncos return bout with the Dragons in the 1993 grand final. With Glenn Lazarus, Andrew Gee and Mark Hohn competing, however, Allen found it very difficult at this time to maintain his first-grade berth, especially after the 10-metre rule made his main asset of high workrate less significant.

In 1995, Allen's career was winding down but had a brief reprieve when - by now a fringe first-grader - he was the only Bronco not signed by Rupert Murdoch's Super League. Consequently, Paul Vautin picked him up and chose him for the three State of Origin games, in which his experience and workrate helped players like Gary Larson and Billy Moore win Queensland a totally unexpected cleansweep. Allen retired at the end of the season.

External links

*StateofOrigin player|273
*FOGS player|76
* [http://www.qrl.com.au/qrl_history/qld_rep_a.php Queensland Representatives at qrl.com.au]