Travis Boak opens up on his Power future and what will determine whether he goes on

After overcoming hip and back issues that left him struggling to bend over, Travis Boak says he’s feeling the best he has in years, but there’s still plenty to play out before he decides on his future.

Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak remains unsure if he will go around again in 2026, saying it will boil down to whether he is good enough, enjoying playing and younger teammates have overtaken him.

The former captain said his body was feeling almost the best it had in a couple of seasons after overcoming hip and back issues that led to his first SANFL spell in 18 years, as well as the most self-doubt he had experienced during the twilight of his career.

At its worst, Boak was struggling to bend over and wondered if he was capable of holding up to the rigours of the season.

But breaks from playing, along with support from those closest to him, had re-energised the 36-year-old.

Boak has a decision to make. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Speaking after his third consecutive match back in the 26-point home win over West Coast, Boak said he was savouring every moment while trying to delay thinking about his future.

“I’m just trying to add value to the team in the next few weeks,” Boak told this masthead.

“I’m still feeling really good so just want to play good footy and help the boys win.

“Obviously, it’ll come up in my head, the question of it all.

“But when it does happen, it takes me away from my role in my team, so I try to park it as best I can and focus on what I can do for the team.

“I’ll assess it when I need to.

“Am I still good enough to play? Am I still of value to this team? Are the young guys ahead of me? Am I still enjoying it? I’ve got a little bit to weigh up.”

Boak, the Power’s games record holder, took to the field for the 381st time on Sunday, two shy of seventh-placed St Kilda champion Robert Harvey on the VFL/AFL all-time list.

Already the most capped player from a non-Victorian club, the dual best-and-fairest winner said he had not given reaching 400 much thought.

“I’m grateful to have been part of this footy club for so long, whether it’s 385, 390 or 400,” said Boak, who would join Brent Harvey, Michael Tuck, Scott Pendlebury, Shaun Burgoyne, Kevin Bartlett and Dustin Fletcher in achieving the milestone.

Boak leaned on his family, manager, star teammates Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis, and coach Ken Hinkley when he was battling his body and mind earlier this season.

After playing the opening three matches, Boak was managed the next week, returned for a fortnight then was out from round 7 to 10 with his back problem – an issue that first surfaced late in pre-season.

On May 10, he made his Port Magpies debut, ending a SANFL absence that stretched back to his debut season of 2007 when he was aligned to Glenelg.

The three-time All-Australian faced Fremantle and GWS either side of the Power’s mid-season bye, only to be sidelined again for consecutive games (managed for one, ill for the other).

Boak, who returned against Carlton on June 26, said he’d not had self-doubt “to that extent” in the latter stages of his career.

“There’s been other moments over the last couple of years where you question ‘am I still good enough? Am I of value to the team? Am I giving enough to the team? Am I holding someone out?’ All those things creep through,” he said.

The veteran has spent time in the SANFL this season. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Early on, I had a lot of trouble with my hip and my back.

“I was struggling to bend over and get through games well enough.

“The contest gets a lot harder when your body is struggling so those things go through your mind.

“That’s why you’ve got to do the mental work to get through these challenges.

“I’ve got good people around me to support me and help me, and it got me back on track the last month.

“Kenny’s been amazing for me to build me back up.

“To have that little period off and come back, I’m almost the best I’ve felt in a couple of years at the moment.”

Boak said hearing the rousing reception from the Power faithful when he kicked a crucial, late goal “was a bit emotional”.

Port led the bottom-placed Eagles by just two points at that stage, 11 minutes into the last term.

“I could definitely hear the crowd as I was walking in and it is really special, obviously coming towards the end of my career,” he said.

“Those are moments I’ll cherish.

“As nice as it was and with the emotion there, I had to go through my routine and had to finish.

“Fortunately, it went through.”

Sunday’s victory left the Power three wins and 19.5 per cent outside the top eight with six matches remaining.

“It’s obviously going to be a challenge to make finals but for however long I’ve got left, whatever I’ve got left, I’m enjoying every moment,” Boak said.

Originally published as Travis Boak opens up on his Power future and what will determine whether he goes on