Career
Hailing from Cairns, Queensland, Gavin Allen started his career with Brisbane"s Valleys club before moving to Sydney"s Street George Dragons for the 1987-1988 seasons. He was not a success and seemed unable to adapt to life in Sydney. Returning to Queensland for the 1989 Brisbane Broncos season, and 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.
Allen made his interstate representative debut when selected on the bench for Game I of the 1991 State of Origin series, becoming Queensland State of Origin player Number.
72. He 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 Street George in the 1992 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.
Allen retired at the end of the season.
