IT will be a strange feeling for Travis Boak when he wanders into Alberton next year to start a 17th AFL pre-season when he realises his good mate Robbie Gray isn’t there with him.
Boak and Gray were drafted together in the 2006 AFL National Draft – Boak with pick 5 and Gray with pick 55 – famously not speaking a word to each other on the flight from Melbourne to Adelaide the day after hearing their names called by Port Adelaide.
Now the best of friends, Boak and Gray hold the record at Port Adelaide for most AFL wins as teammates with 134 but won’t add to that figure following Gray’s retirement after the season-ending Showdown win over the Crows.
Having signed a one-year contract extension for 2023, Boak’s off-season includes time with the family and a trip to the United States – partly to holiday and partly to complete a gruelling training block – before returning to Alberton in search of an elusive premiership.
This time, for the first time, he’ll go into a season without Gray by his side.
“It’ll be a little bit sad, especially early on to not have Rob out there,” Boak told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“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.
“17 sounds like a lot but I’m excited for it. This group is really special to be a part of. 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.”
At 34, Boak continues to be among the most consistent performers in the team and rarely misses a game. This year he missed one under the health and safety protocols making it just six missed games in the last ten seasons – an incredible effort in such a taxing sport.
Renowned for his professionalism and dedication to rehabilitation, recovery and preparation, the former club captain has another explanation for his durability.
“I think a bit of it is luck to be honest,” Boak smiled. “I’ve been fortunate in games not to have any serious collision injuries but at the same time I just try to prepare myself as best I can in the off-season and pre-season and during the year recovery becomes really vital, especially at my age.
“I love playing and I don’t want to miss any games of footy so I try to do whatever I can to be out on the park.”
A three-time All-Australian, twice John Cahill Medallist and club AFL games record holder with 327 games, Boak continues to be one of the AFL’s best midfielders, rated among the competition’s best for clearances with 5.9 per game on average in 2022.
He also averaged 27 disposals per game this year - better than his career average of 24 disposals per game, yet he is his biggest critic and still sees room for improvement.
"Along with the side I was probably a bit up and down and not as consistent at a high level as what I would have liked so there are certainly some areas to continue to improve on but some good games as well,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the rest and reflecting on the year, and working on some areas that I can take into next year and improve on again.”
Boak holds the mantle of being Port Adelaide’s longest serving AFL captain having held the title for six seasons between 2013-2018.
While new leaders have emerged, Boak continues to take young players under his wing, and he has pinpointed a handful to keep an eye on in 2023 and beyond.
“I think we’ve already seen a few this year with Connor Rozee, who has been outstanding, Zak (Butters) is another one who is coming on and Xav (Duursma), Miles (Bergman), Mitch (Georgiades) and these sorts of guys,” Boak said.
“All these young boys, to really take the club forward is exciting and hopefully they can have really good off-seasons, pre-seasons and improve again and make this club better.”
