FORMER Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak believes a strong pre-season and an injection of youth has been the catalyst for the Power’s strong start in 2019.

Boak has had the best start to a season in his 13-year career to date, collecting back-to-back 30+ possession games and he puts that down to a number of changes over the summer.

“I’m just really enjoying my footy, it’s been a great pre-season, there’s obviously been a few changes certainly in my life and my footy career,” he told FIVEaa’s Rowey and Bicks.

“My role has changed a little bit but also the young guys coming into the side, they bring so much energy which brings you up.

“All of us are enjoying our footy and it’s been a pretty good start.”

The 30-year-old was full of praise for the midfield group and the inclusion of premiership ruckman Scott Lycett to the side.

“Rocky has been outstanding and it’s been handy having both Scotty and Paddy in the ruck, we’re pretty fortunate as on-ballers,” Boak said.

“For Drewy to come in and Sammy’s been playing some good footy in there – it’s just been really enjoyable playing around the ball.

“We’ve been able to really rotate through (the midfield) quite well – you know Robbie comes in there, Mots comes in there, Ebo’s been in there – I think we’ve got pretty good depth in there now.

“The numbers would suggest we are doing some pretty good stuff in there and I think the game has opened up more too which is really beneficial for our weapons.”

There will be at least two forced changes for Port’s important trip to the Gabba to face Brisbane on Saturday evening, with Jack Watts and Karl Amon both ruled out through injury.

Boak believes there are a number of players ready to come into the side, with co-captain Ollie Wines heading that list.

“Ollie is probably the main one and he trained really well today and looked really good – he’s full-contact (training now) so he’s probably one who will hopefully come back into the side,” he said.

“There are a number of guys who could put up their hand.

“The Maggies were fantastic on the weekend led by Trengove, Sammy Gray and Mayesy – they all had fantastic games.

“It’s going to be a tough selection.

“Whether we go a tall back for Wattsy and an on-baller which could be Ollie but it’s certainly going to be a tough one but it’s a good position to be.”

Brisbane host the Power at the Gabba from 6.55pm ACDT on Saturday 6 April in Round 3.