Geelong coach Chris Scott has gone into bat for West Coast and under-pressure captain Oscar Allen, who apologised on Thursday for meeting Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell earlier this week.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Allen’s position as leader came under question after it emerged he had sat down with Mitchell just a day after the winless Eagles’ defeat to Fremantle.

The 26-year-old has now been backed by the club to remain in his role — and he’s received the support of one of the best coaches in the game.

Scott revealed the “real-world example” that Tyson Stengle had met with St Kilda’s Ross Lyon last year.

“Is the expectation at our club that Tyson comes to me and asks ‘is it OK’? No, of course not. You’re an individual and we accept that it’s happening,” the dual premiership coach said.

With a straight face, he added: “Our preferred model is that we can speak to whichever players we want, but no one’s allowed to speak to ours. We just can’t get everyone to agree to that.”

Calling out commentators’ “experiences from 1987”, Scott said: “I don’t think we give them (players) enough credit for their ability to walk and chew gum at the same time.”

“I would counter, and I probably shouldn’t talk about West Coast players, but any West Coast player that’s got an issue with Oscar Allen should grow up,” he said.

“But sorry if that sounded harsh.”

There has been no suggestion Eagles players are frustrated with Allen, who said he “wouldn’t hold it against them” if they were but added his teammates had been “incredibly supportive” this week.

Scott said it’s a “nonsense” to suggest captains are not allowed to talk to opposition clubs about their playing futures.

“Is it a good look? Oh well, the people who don’t like it I reckon don’t really understand the system that well,” he added.

“It’s probably good fodder, isn’t it. I would argue anyone who played footy before 2000 hates it and anyone who started playing footy after 2010 is probably okay with it.”

Earlier, Allen fronted the media in Perth on Thursday alongside West Coast football boss John Worsfold.

“I feel remorseful towards our fans, our playing members, supporters, staff ... I’m incredibly remorseful,” Allen said.

“I’m going to continue my role as co-captain alongside Liam Duggan this season.

“In conversation with people at the footy club, everyone feels like it’s the right thing to do.

“I still am really confident I’m the right man alongside ‘Duggo’ to take this club forward and achieving some real progress and success this year.”

Allen admitted he had turned off his phone after news broke on Tuesday of his meeting with Mitchell.

He is being heavily pursued by Hawthorn and reigning premiers Brisbane as one of the AFL’s most in-demand free agents.

The Lions, who had 12 months of warning on Joe Daniher’s post-grand final retirement, have long had Allen in mind to be the new key of their forward line.

Hawthorn poached premiership defender Tom Barrass from the Eagles during the off-season and have also been linked to West Coast’s No.1 draft pick Harley Reid.

“As a leader, the best thing I can do is to play well on field and lead the boys by example,” Allen said.

“I clearly haven’t been doing that. I just want to play some good footy for this great footy club that I’ve loved growing up and still do love.

“Clearly, I wouldn’t hold it against them (the players) if there was some anger or frustration towards me. They’ve been incredibly supportive for me this week and so far this year.

“I addressed them (on Thursday morning). I just felt quite embarrassed and ashamed in front of the boys.

“Everyone here is working as hard as we can to achieve success and to get better every day.

“And clearly my actions have become a distraction this week, which is exactly what I don’t want for this playing group.”

Worsfold indicated he would have preferred the meeting had not become public, but said free agency had dramatically changed how clubs and players approach the trade market.

“This is not a unique situation, but the public nature of it, we’ve all acknowledged isn’t great timing when the team is struggling on field and trying to build our new identity under a new coach,” Worsfold said.

“It didn’t work out perfect, but we learned from that.”

- with AAP