Allen Christensen’s rollercoaster year at the Brisbane Lions ended on a high, with the small forward recovering in time from a hamstring injury to play in the Club’s two AFL Finals Series matches.

Christensen’s year was far from smooth, with the 28-year-old starting his 2019 campaign in the NEAFL side. After producing strong performances, he was elevated to the senior team in Round 4 to play against Essendon. Unfortunately, he would be dropped the following week after the Lions suffered two heavy losses to the Bombers and then Collingwood in the Easter Thursday clash.

Christensen responded well in the NEAFL, acting as a leader for the younger players in the side. However, he had to bide his time and prove himself to the coaches in the NEAFL for eight rounds, before being recalled to the AFL side in Round 14 against St Kilda.

‘Bundy’ made the most of this opportunity against the Saints, with an outstanding performance, kicking two goals and collecting 18 touches. He turned back the clock with passages of play that footy audiences hadn’t witnessed from him since his days at Geelong in a premiership winning side; he was fast and caught defenders unaware in the goal square by intercepting the ball and then booting a goal.

Christensen retained his spot in the team for the remainder of the year and played 13 games in total and kicked 14 goals. However, he did miss Round 23’s loss to Richmond due to a hamstring injury but managed to recover in time to play in the Finals, where he kicked a total of three goals.

Speaking to lions.com.au after the Lions’ Qualifying Final loss against Richmond Christensen said the team didn’t take their chances in front of goal.

“They’re too good a team, if you miss your opportunities, they’re going to carve you up,” he said.

“A lot of the boys worked really hard. Energy and effort, it was there. It was just unfortunate we kicked so many points.”