Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak throws his support behind move to recruit Paddy Ryder
TRAVIS Boak will front a heavyweight players collective to secure missing premiership piece Paddy Ryder in an inspired powerplay for the ruckman’s signature.
PORT Adelaide skipper Travis Boak will front a heavyweight players collective to secure missing premiership piece Paddy Ryder in an inspired powerplay for the ruckman’s signature.
Brisbane was the frontrunner for disgruntled Ryder — wanting a fresh start after feeling aggrieved by Essendon’s drug saga.
Sydney skipper Jarrad McVeigh played a pivotal role in helping to secure Lance Franklin’s move from Hawthorn to Sydney this season.
Boak would be a compelling voice should Port’s savvy recruiting unit headed by Jason Cripps gain currency with Ryder.
“We think we are in a great position with a great list and certainly on the track to building something pretty special,” said Boak, conceding he was still “shattered” by Port’s three-point preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.
“List management will take care of that but we if we need to get involved we will,” he said.
“It is something we will need to discuss as a playing group and our list management staff will be involved in that and then we will probably pitch something to him.”
Jarrad Redden will return from knee surgery next year but obtaining a recognised ruck/forward to flank Matt Lobbe could herald the start of a Power premiership dynasty.
The Bombers are prepared to dig in as rival clubs swoop on Ryder.
However a Port premiership window that is wide open and the AFL’s most attentive coach — Ken Hinkley — presents an attractive option.
Outside midfielders Jared Polec and Matthew White escaped Brisbane and Richmond respectively last spring in inspired moves to Alberton.
“We are a tight knit group. Whoever comes into the club whether it was Polec or Whitey, work hard and that is what we pride ourselves on,” Boak said.
Boak vowed Port would use the pain of its preliminary final exit as “real motivation” over a long pre-season. However the addition of a gun ruck/forward will be futile unless the club can address the inaccuracy that led to a 3.9 first term against the Hawks.
“I guess to kick 3.9 in the first quarter ... You can’t do that against a quality side in a preliminary final,” he said.
The Power squad will complete exit interviews over the next two days followed by medicals and inevitable list cull.
“There are some tough calls that need to be made this time of year which will be pretty hard,” said Boak.