Travis Boak reveals how shoulder surgery had him fearing for his AFL career

Travis Boak is again dominating for Port Adelaide. But the former Power skipper has revealed why he was contemplating whether he should retire in the off-season

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 04: Travis Boak of the Power chases the ball during the round 5 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Port Adelaide Power at The Gabba on July 04, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

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Port Adelaide star Travis Boak has revealed the impact of shoulder surgery he underwent in the off-season had him contemplating if he should retire from AFL football.

The former Power captain had a career best year in 2019 following a move to the midfield but had to undergo surgery on his shoulder at the end of the season following a hit in Round 19.

In a video with teammate Hamish Hartlett on Port Adelaide’s website the 31-year-old two-time All Australian revealed the difficulty he experienced in rehab following that surgery had him wondering if it was time on his career.

Boak working on his shoulder at Port Adelaide training camp, Maroochydore Queensland in December. He said following surgery it was so bad he thought his career might be up. Picture SARAH REED

“To be perfectly honest it was one of the most challenging times of my footy career,” he said.

“There were definitely stages there where I thought I couldn’t get back, whether that was through the pain or the fact that I felt like I would never get strength back in my shoulder.

“I basically thought this could be it (his career).”

Boak said a change in mindset allowed him to banish the demons of his shoulder injury and go around for another season for the Power.

Boak sits third in the coaches award leaderboard after keeping up his 2019 form in 2020.