Travis Boak officially signs on for 18th season at Port Adelaide

Travis Boak will play on at the Power, which will take him into an 18th AFL season. Matthew Turner says it’s the right call and avoids a “bitter taste in fans’ mouths”.

Sam Powell-Pepper of the Power with Travis Boak after the match during the 2023 AFL Second Semi Final match between the Port Adelaide Power and the GWS GIANTS at Adelaide Oval on September 16, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Travis Boak extending his career at Port Adelaide is the right result for him and the club.

After the Power’s games record holder spoke of having “plenty in the body” and “fire in the belly” a fortnight ago, it would have been a massive shame for him to then pull the pin, particularly if it was out of concern about what his 2024 might look like.

Boak had a modest season, featuring as the substitute in four of his 21 matches, as he adjusted to playing predominantly on a wing.

But in his most recent game, Port’s losing semi-final against GWS, the 35-year-old showed he still had much to offer to be one of the club’s best players on a night when few teammates stood up.

Tuesday’s announcement that Boak had signed a 12-month extension was hardly a surprise.

The Power last month put the ball back in Boak’s court to make a decision, which was a smart move.

Travis Boak has at least one more year left in him. Picture: Getty Images

It would have been a horrible look to be seen to be forcing out a club great who was keen to play on and was a shining light in a poor finals loss that left a bitter taste in fans’ mouths.

Instead, the club said Boak would receive another contract if he wanted one.

The proviso was that Port did not want its former captain to finish his career spending the bulk of the season in the SANFL, akin to 2023 skipper Tom Jonas.

Boak is clearly backing himself to ensure that is not the case.

And who would be game enough to count him out of being a Power mainstay again next year?

Not this writer.

Boak is the ultimate professional whose off-field standards have long been revered around the AFL.

The veteran is planning another off-season trip to the US to train with movement specialist Austin Einhorn and potentially sessions at Red Bull headquarters in Austria.

He will be doing everything possible to bounce back in 2024 and prove the doubters wrong.

Going into this year, the Victorian had finished in the top two of the Power’s best-and-fairest for four consecutive seasons.

But he never sustained top form in 2023.

The three-time All-Australian’s campaign began by him winning Port’s time trial, then copping a huge hit to the ribs from West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern in a practice match.

Boak is a great role model to fellow Power players. Picture: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Boak missed the season-opener due to the injury, was the sub the next week, then was subbed off against Melbourne in round 10 after another blow to the ribs from Jack Viney and was sidelined for two matches.

His form tapered near the end of the minor round and he was the sub in three of the last six games, including the qualifying final loss to Brisbane.

Boak’s best position is clearly as an inside midfielder.

He only attended 13 per cent of centre bounces this season, but a boost in on-ball time in 2024 could benefit him, the Power and the likes of Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis and Willem Drew.

The young quartet had tremendous seasons but struggled as a collective during the finals.

Boak is on track to play his 350th game in round 2 and will be eyeing a long-awaited premiership next year.

With Jonas departing and the Power’s leadership found wanting against the Giants, the veteran’s re-signing is an important ingredient to any potential success.

‘STILL GOT A LOT OF DRIVE’: BOAK LOCKS IN FUTURE AT POWER

Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak will play on next season.

The former captain had been weighing up his future, but will play into an 18th season in 2024, with the Power releasing the news on X with a photo of Boak and a guernsey with number 18 on it.

Boak endured a modest season, featuring in 21 games, including four as the substitute, and playing mostly on the wing.

“I’ve still got a lot of drive and my body still feels great so I’m really excited for another year and looking forward to getting out there again,” Boak said.

Port Adelaide player Travis Boak signs on for another season at the club for 2024. Picture: PAFC

“Port Adelaide has been my home for a long period of time and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I want to finish my career here. I’ve been through a lot at this club and to finish here, with a premiership hopefully, would be the dream.

“I think our group has taken a big step forward from last year, despite not winning a final. The growth as a group and in individual players has been huge, and another year together will naturally make our group better. I’m excited to be part of that.

“The fans of the Port Adelaide Football Club have been an amazing support for me, even over the last few weeks since the season has finished, and I can’t thank them enough.

“I am passionate about the Port Adelaide Football Club and still playing footy, and for the club to give me the time to make this decision and support me through that along with the fans has been incredible, and I’m now excited to go out there again and represent this great footy club.”