The rise and rise of Corey Allan
When 20 year old Corey Allan ran onto the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on the 6th October 2018, he made rugby league history. Corey became the first player to represent Australia in the Prime Minister’s XIII without having first played an NRL game. If making his debut, and that slice of history, in front of a rambunctious home ground wasn’t memorable enough, Corey added to it by scoring a try, oh, and ‘surviving’ a field invasion by rugby league’s most passionate fans.
When I caught up with Corey just days before leaving Brisbane to chase his dream with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League he was still pinching himself. “Honestly it is crazy, it is easily the best experience I have had playing footy” and the joy on his face as he says those words leaves me in no doubt it was an experience Corey will always, rightfully cherish.
Over a caramel latte, we sit, and chat for almost two hours, where Corey transparently answers my every question. Although I will leave it up to you as to whether his answer to the question of his favourite movie is 100% truthful. It is my hope, that by sharing with you this recount, that you can take some learning away from Corey’s journey to date, and gain an insight into what makes this young sensation tick.
Mates Talk Change #MTC
When asked, “where do you want to start?” Corey politely responds, “MTC if that’s ok?” Sure it is, but to get there you need to know Corey first commenced his high school years at Keebra Park SHS on the Gold Coast. It was the constant travel though that saw him move to a more local school, Marsden State High School, in Logan. While Corey played in a talented team they were not able to lift any trophies, however, it was away from the field where Corey says his time at Marsden brought him his biggest rewards.
“It was amazing at Marsden. One of our teachers, Miss Mulcahy, helped us design, establish and develop the Mates Talk Change #MTC program and we were the first group of students to be involved.” The program is designed to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and provides an empowering environment where students feel supported and comfortable to openly discuss any concerns they may have amongst their peers. “The #MTC program really allowed us to share and appreciate we were not alone. To be there for a mate and to know a mate is there for you brought strength to us all. To be one of the first leaders and to know it has now expanded beyond the rugby league program to the entire school is something I am very proud of about my schooling.”
Junior days and expanding comfort zone
Whilst Corey will be plying his trade from Redfern next year, he attributes his junior football days, all of which were played at Logan Brothers JRLFC on Brisbane’s Southside, from where current NRL stars Cameron Smith, Josh Papalii, Brenko Lee and Jaydn Su’A hail, as being a reason for his consistency and his competitiveness. “It is a great club with a great culture,” Allan replied. “We always had to work hard, because regardless of who we played, the opposition always wanted to beat us. It brought out my competitive nature too, as I always wanted to represent my club well.”
Corey added the support of his parents, Mark and Michelle Allan, also made his junior football experience enjoyable. “I love playing the game and I have to thank Mum and Dad for that. They always wanted me to enjoy myself and I never felt any pressure from them. They wanted me to try my best for sure, but they always told me to have fun.” It is this pressure-less, supporting environment that allowed him to play with freedom, which only added to his passion for the game.
Corey played in a variety of positions during his junior years including wing, the halves, lock and dummy-half. It wasn’t until his U16 Souths Logan Cyril Connell coach, who, not so coincidentally, is the same person writing this story, advised him that he believed his best position was fullback. Corey ‘stepped up’ and made the transition into fullback, and hasn’t looked back. He laughs now and follows that laugh up with a comment which, for me, sets those who make it apart from those who do not. “It really took me out of my comfort zone but I gained confidence from your belief and also that of the boys. I knew by expanding myself and seeing the positional change as an opportunity to grow I would develop my game.”
A more modest understatement I haven’t heard, as develop his game he did and continues to do. After Corey’s years of playing in the halves and dummy-half, switching to fullback provided Corey with more freedom. As he details, “I could see more of the field and predict what was going to happen. I had more space to work and despite the need to increase my fitness level, I absolutely loved it.”
It is that growth mindset that I believe truly set Corey on the elevated path that he continues upon. The constant search for self-improvement, the acknowledgement it will take hard work and discomfort, supported by an attitude that a challenge is actually an opportunity.
Being ‘mindful’ to learn from others
It is this same mindset that saw him make a successful transition from the U20s National Youth Comp in 2017 for the Brisbane Broncos, to playing against bigger and faster players in the Queensland Intrust Cup in 2018. Corey credits Souths Logan half, Sam Scarlett, for supporting him and for further developing his attitude towards performing in the moment. “Sam knows his stuff and is a great team mate who I have learnt a lot from. If I made an error, it was always Sam that was in my ear, telling me everyone makes them, forget about it, you’ve got this. It really rammed home for me that if you dwell on a mistake you will keep making them.”
Corey further elaborated that the ability to perform in the present moment was further enhanced for him while he was preparing for this month’s Australian U20s Trans-Tasman test with the Junior Kiwis. For the first time, Corey was introduced to the daily practise of mindfulness, where “we did it each day and it has been something I have been doing since then. If you think about the game too much, you just overthink it.” As with most sports played at the elite level, overthinking tends to lead to under-performing. “Exactly,” says Corey, “it is so important to leave it behind. If I am focused on something in the past, it means I am not fully focused on what is happening now in the game. In rugby league, it is such a quick game, you have to move on.”
A break out year and ‘Hodgo’
The astute reader will have picked up that, yes, Corey did play two international games in the month of October. After his history making appearance in PNG, he returned home before flying across the ditch to play for the Junior Roos. It has truly been a break-through year for Corey, who earlier in the year, took the field at Suncorp Stadium as the fullback in the victorious Queensland U20s team. It was the first time a Queensland U20s team has held that interstate trophy aloft.
“We had a lot of boys come back from the previous year and I wasn’t alone when I say we didn’t want to lose again.” Corey paid tribute to head coach, Justin Hodges, for “keeping the balance of having fun while also getting down into the grind.” It was here where Corey paused, as if he was actually reliving an experience, and then added, “Hodgo was so passionate about the Queensland jersey and The Queensland Way. He would get fairly emotional when he spoke about the jersey and I know I got goose bumps listening to him. Running out with the boys that night, I knew every one of us was prepared to bleed for the jersey. It was a thrill to finally get that win.”
The experience of a life time and lucky number 13
Even though Corey had been warned what to expect when the PM’s XIII touched down in Port Moresby, it did nothing to prepare him for the reality of being in a country where rugby league is its national sport. “Honestly, it was crazy,” he said. “As soon as we got off the plane there was a crowd and they’re singing, and yelling out with excitement. Every bus ride was an experience, people everywhere, banging on the bus, waving and just wanting photos. They are so passionate and so friendly.”
That passion overflowed during the game when a thousand or so spectators ran onto the field in the first half. Despite a ‘second or two’ of panic it became apparent the crowd meant no harm, and they just wanted hugs … and selfies. “DCE (Daly Cherry-Evans) was smiling and laughing and walking towards the crowd. He started getting photos with the fans and before long we were all high fiving,” Allan explains.
It was this constant display of passion on behalf of the PNG fans, and a sense of ‘giving back’ that saw Corey, and the entire Aussie team’s suitcases come home lighter than when they left. Despite being provided three sets of touring gear, Corey returned home with only his playing jersey and ‘maybe a pair of socks.’ Corey was quick to add that the beaming smiles on the kids’ faces when they got hold of a piece of kit, “only made me really appreciate what we have. It also made me want to keep working hard so I can experience it again.”
However, before making the flight, and playing the game, Corey faced some anxiety over his meteoric rise and questioned his belonging alongside the elite of the elite.
“Well, initially after getting the call, I went from being stunned to being excited, to then questioning myself. I hadn’t played NRL so I wondered if I was good enough to be playing alongside these players.” It was here where again his maturity is demonstrated. Corey moved passed the negative bias that so many of us can suffer and focused on what had got him to receive that call in the first place. “I just reminded myself I have played a lot of games, I’ve done it before and I can do it now. I switched my focus towards the positives and let any negatives go.”
This approached only sky-rocketed when the PM’s XIII coach, 13th Immortal Mal Meninga, told him to be himself. “He (Mal) just oozes confidence you can’t help but soak it up. Mal told me to ‘just be Corey Allan’ and that relaxed me. It told me he had trust in me which gave me a massive confidence boost.” It goes without saying, the players follow the coach’s lead, as Corey found out when he met each of the players, who he said were all ‘very supportive.’ And just like Sam Scarlett at Souths Logan, it was the halfback, and team captain, Daley Cherry-Evans that made him feel right at home. “DCE was great, telling me it is just another game, you’ve got the ability, we have got your back and I know you will have our backs.” All of this just made it easier for Corey to do what he does – play and enjoy his footy.
Bunnies bound … and beyond
Corey did not shy away from how hard his decision was to leave his home-town team, the Brisbane Broncos, but is also relishing the opportunity to be a member of the Pride of the League. “It was really tough,” he says, before taking a breath and continuing, “now I have made the decision I am ecstatic. I know how big the club is and how rich its history is. I know it will get me out of my comfort zone and stretch me, but as I said before, that means I will grow and develop.” As a means of backing up his comments he added, “it is going to be amazing to pull on the cardinal and myrtle.” When he says those words, I have absolutely no inclination he is paying me lip service, as his eyes are alive and his entire body language indicates a young man who is chomping at the bit to take on that next challenge, oops next opportunity, and show the ‘Burrow’ what he is made of.
While he doesn’t get too far ahead of himself, Corey ensures he gives his future every chance of succeeding through regular goal setting. “I set a long term goal that I break down into short-term process goals. I obviously have the goal of debuting in the NRL next year, but only so much of that is under my control.” While the long term goal is the fruit on the tree, it is the process goals that are at its root. To this end, he nurtures the roots by focusing on consistent habits at training, remaining present, maintaining his balance with respect to nutrition, rest, recovery and having time away with friends. With regards the latter, Corey is an avid fisherman and like most 20 year olds fancies himself as a major league gamer on Call of Duty.
Corey is under no illusions he has not made it. He readily admits his biggest learning curve in his fledgling rugby league career was in this year’s pre-season training with the NRL squad. But again it is here where his attitude, his commitment and his growth mindset really stand out, “It is a competitive environment and you can’t rely solely on talent. It made me truly understand the importance of always being focused at training whether it is skills, fitness or the tactical aspects of our session.” Corey knows the upcoming pre-season, and the competition, will be every bit as tough, if not, more so than before.
No, Corey Allan has not made it, but with his desire, his passion, his attitude towards self-improvement and the skills he has already developed with regards to his preparation and outlook on life, you would be a brave person to bet against him. I wish him all the luck in the world and can’t wait to see him wear the cardinal and myrtle too.
Oh and in response to his favourite movie, Corey said, “I feel like I should say Gladiator (laughs), yeah let’s go with Gladiator,” before sheepishly adding after a lengthy pause, “although the Marvel movies are all pretty cool.”
You can follow Corey’s journey on Instagram @coreyallan98
