Port Adelaide news: All the post-season happenings out of the Power camp

Port Adelaide’s bid to bounce back into premiership contention has received a boost with three key re-signings headlined by evergreen midfielder Travis Boak.

Port Adelaide’s plan to bounce straight back into premiership contention in coach Ken Hinkley’s make-or-break year received a boost when Travis Boak re-signed on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old could become the club’s first 350-game champion in the AFL era next September, should he avoid an injury and Port return to the finals.

And a week after losing free agent Karl Amon who will join Hawthorn, dashing defender Darcy Byrne-Jones has killed any possible speculation he could depart next year by signing on until 2026.

The dashing defender was already contracted for 2023 – when he was due to qualify for unrestricted free agency – but has made an early call to remove himself from that pool.

Midfielder Jackson Mead, 20, also recommitted until 2024, capping a triple contract treat for the Power.

Mead broke through to play 11 matches this season.

Boak forecast his longevity in 2019 when he said: “I want another four or five years. I’d love to continue playing until my body and mind give way on footy”.

The man who often spends his off-season training in the United States will enter his 17th season without retired great Robbie Gray for the first time.

“It’ll be a little bit sad, especially early on to not have Rob out there,” Boak told the club’s website.

“We’ve been through 16 years of footy together and we’ve had one hell of a ride and a great journey but it’ll still be really nice to come to this footy club with some great mates.

“It’s the best job in the world when you get to come in here and play footy and spend time with your best friends, so I’m looking forward to year 17 for sure.

“I feel like I’ve got plenty more to give and plenty to improve on to be part of this group for another year and hopefully another few after that.”

Travis Boak has re-signed at Port Adelaide.

Jackson Mead has extended his stay at Port Adelaide.

Boak’s durability has been remarkable in his twilight years. The bullocking midfielder has missed just six games in the past 10 seasons.

Boak and Kane Cornes are Port Adelaide’s only 300-game AFL players, with 28-year-old skipper Ollie Wines (203 games) the only other current player with that milestone mildly in sight.

Port list boss Jason Cripps said Boak “shows no signs of slowing down”.

“That is a credit to the work he puts in physically and mentally to prepare for and recover after matches,” Cripps said.

“We look forward to him attacking 2023 with the same enthusiasm and dedication that we’ve seen from him since 2006.”

Byrne-Jones celebrated his 150th game in the round 23 showdown in a year he was elevated into the club’s leadership group.

“We know he has plenty of development to come and we expect him to grow his game and challenge for a more regular spot in the AFL line-up,” Cripps said.

“Darcy is disciplined and reliable and always carries out his role for the team with little fuss.”

PORT’S BROWNLOW WINNER GOES UNDER KNIFE

Simeon Thomas-Wilson

Port Adelaide star Ollie Wines will be managed through the early stages of pre-season after he had knee surgery.

The reigning Brownlow medallist has had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to clean out what the Power have described as some loose bodies.

The Power says this was a similar procedure to the one that defender Tom Clurey had on his right knee earlier this month.

Wines will now be managed through the early stages of the Power’s pre-season training.

Ollie Wines has had post-season surgery. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Power AFL games record holder Travis Boak has undergone a left side hernia repair but this is not expected to impact his return for pre-season training in early December.

First year player Josh Sinn had a similar procedure, which also included work on an abdominal tendon.

The first round draft pick will have a staggered progression into full drills with the first to fourth year players in late November.

Sinn has struggled with groin issues in his first season at Alberton.

Sinn has struggled with injury in his first year. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Mitch Georgiades had a syndesmosis repair on his left ankle, after suffering the injury in the win over the Crows in Round 23, but it is not expected to impact on the exciting forward’s preparation for 2023.

Riley Bonner had some scar tissue cleaned out from the back of his right ankle but is expected to be fine for pre-season.

The Power said Lachie Jones is progressing well after he had hamstring surgery that ended his season after round 20.

Originally published as Port Adelaide news: All the post-season happenings out of the Power camp