Allen Christensen (footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allen Christensen |
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Christensen in April 2019
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| Personal information | |||
| Nickname(s) | Bundy | ||
| Date of birth | 19 May 1991 | ||
| Original team | Geelong Falcons (TAC Cup)/Lara Football Club | ||
| Draft |
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| Position(s) | Forward pocket / Midfield | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Allen Christensen (born May 19, 1991) is a former professional Australian rules football player. He played for the Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL).
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Early Life and Junior Football
Allen Christensen grew up in Lara, a suburb near Geelong, Victoria. He started playing junior football for the Lara Football Club. Later, he played for the St Mary's Football Club in Darwin. This was when he was 15 and 16 years old. His father coached the senior team there for two seasons.
When he returned to Victoria in 2007, Allen joined the Geelong Falcons. He played in the TAC Cup, a competition for young players. In 2009, he was almost the best player in the TAC Cup. He averaged 26 disposals (getting the ball) per game. He was also named in the TAC Cup Team of the Year.
Allen Christensen's AFL Career
Allen Christensen was chosen by the Geelong Football Club in the 2009 AFL draft. He was the 40th player picked overall. Many experts thought he would be picked much earlier. Because of this, some people later called him an "absolute steal" for Geelong.
In his first year with Geelong, Allen did not play any senior games. Instead, he played for the club's VFL reserves team. He played 16 games and performed very well. He was often listed among the "best players" in these matches. He even got to be an emergency player for the senior team twice. He finished fourth in the VFL team's best and fairest award.
Playing for Geelong (2011–2014)
Allen Christensen made his AFL debut in 2011. It was in the second round against Fremantle in Perth. He came into the game late in the third quarter as a substitute. He had eight disposals and helped Geelong win by 11 points.
In a game against Richmond, Allen had a great performance. He got 26 disposals and scored two goals. Because of this, he was nominated for the 2011 AFL Rising Star award. Later that year, he was part of the Geelong team that won the 2011 AFL Grand Final. They defeated Collingwood.
During the 2014 season, Allen had some back injuries. He only played eight games that year.
Playing for Brisbane (2015–2020)
After the 2014 season, Allen Christensen asked to move to a club in Queensland. He wanted a change in his lifestyle. On October 13, 2014, he was officially traded to the Brisbane Lions. Geelong received pick number 21 in the 2014 AFL draft for him.
In 2020, Allen was named in the St Joseph’s College Team of Champions. This team recognizes the best VFL/AFL players who went to that school. He officially retired from playing professional football on October 21, 2020.
Life After AFL Football
After retiring from the AFL, Allen Christensen continued his football journey. He joined the Lauderdale Football Club in the Tasmanian State League for the 2021 season. He stayed with the club as a senior coach until the end of the 2024 season.
He is currently the senior coach of the Hobart Football Club. This team plays in the Southern Football League.
Player Style
When Allen Christensen was first drafted, he was described as a player who got a lot of the ball. He was good at winning contested possessions (when players fight for the ball). He also made smart decisions and was clever when near the goals. Allen himself felt he played a bit like Simon Black. He admired Black's ability to get possessions and be a strong player in stoppages.
Honours and Achievements
| Brownlow Medal votes | |
| Season | Votes |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| Total | 7 |
Team Awards
- AFL Premiership (Geelong): 2011
Individual Awards
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 2011
Personal Life
Allen Christensen is related to other Geelong players. His uncles, Marty and Damien Christensen, also played for the Geelong Football Club. Allen is of Indigenous Australian heritage. He has two brothers and two sisters. In 2015, he appeared in a documentary DVD for the Australian band, The Amity Affliction. He was featured as a "famous fan."
