Port Adelaide in no rush to find new leader after Travis Boak stands down as captain

It is time for a new era at Port Adelaide as Travis Boak steps down as captain after six seasons. But Power coach Ken Hinkley says vice captain Ollie Wines is not a lock for the top job.

Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak announces he has stepped down as captain of the Power, flanked by coach Ken Hinkley. Picture: Tait Schmaal

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Port Adelaide will be without a captain for much of the pre-season after Travis Boak on Friday stood down after a club AFL record six seasons and 137 games in the role.

Boak spoke out about his love for the position and the honour of leading The Power but said it was the ideal time for him to hand over the baton — much like Dom Cassisi did when Ken Hinkley first arrived at the club.

He would continue to be a strong voice but was uncertain whether he would remain in the leadership group — those discussions were yet to be had.

“Six years in the job now — it comes to a point where it’s time and I think it’s a perfect time now to hand it over,” Boak said. “I’ve absolutely loved leading this club.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley listens as Travis Boak announces he has stepped down as captain of Port Adelaide. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“I came into this club as an 18 or 19-year-old happy to play a game and to captain this club for six years has been a huge honour and something that I’ll cherish forever.

“But there always comes a point in time when it’s time to hand it on and I think this is the perfect time.

“I think the group is in great place to move forward to whoever is next.

“You always think of what’s best for the group when you’re in this position … right now it’s time for a new voice.

“But I’m still going to help the bloke who is next.”

This man. That guernsey. 💫 @travisboak10 #weareportadelaide pic.twitter.com/5HBE61tZsA

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) November 30, 2018

Congratulations @travisboak10 on leading our great club, enjoy the new sense of freedom as you mentor the next number 1.

— Warren Tredrea (@warrentredrea) November 30, 2018

Hinkley said there were four or five clear candidates to take over the rule and indicated vice-captain Ollie Wines was no certainty for the job.

He also ruled out a quick decision, saying the club was unlikely to appoint a new No. 1 before Christmas and would take into consideration input from the coaches, the players and the board before making the call.

“I think we won’t make a call until well into the new year,” Hinkley said. “If I put a time on it it would be around JLT (the practice matches) but I’m not going to say if it’s going to be before or after.”

Hinkley, who appointed Boak ahead of his first season as coach of the club, said he could not have made a better decision.

And he expected Boak to remain a strong influence without the title.

“I can say one thing: I made a very, very good decision,” Hinkley said. “He could have quite easily gone on.

“But I still think I remember the conversation I had with Dom Cassisi.

“Dom was very much like Travis — the team is really important to them and the time for them to do what they needed to do was the right time.

“Trav’s the same now: it’s the right time for Trav to let someone else have a go but more importantly to let himself have some freedom.

“Because it’s a big job.”

Boak said the decision, however calculated, had still moved him.

“I was actually a little bit emotional this morning,” he said. “I spoke to Mum last night and she knew straight away.

“The hardest part was to tell the boys.”