It was just last year when Travis Boak finished school, today he went back to school with Peter Burgoyne and Matt Thomas. The trio visited Hallett Cove South Primary School as Power players spread far and wide across the state to visit thousands of school kids.

Travis Boak proved very popular with the students, given he’d just played his first AFL match. Boak is the fifth Port Adelaide player to make an AFL debut in Season 2007. Midway through the first quarter and wearing the No. 10 guernsey made famous by 2002 All-Australian, Josh Francou, Boak ran onto AAMI Stadium. His aim was to get his hands on the footy and to leave his nerves on the bench.

“Until I ran out on the ground my stomach felt full of butterflies. To be presented a jumper from such a legend, Josh Francou was absolutely fantastic and something I’ll treasure for sure,” Boak told the media while in one of the Hallet Cove South classrooms.

As selection No. 5 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, Boak is the equal highest draft selection for the Power. With this tag, comes a high degree of expectation. It wasn’t all smooth sailing in the lead up to Boak’s debut in the big league. The 18 year-old spent time in Glenelg’s reserves team before breaking into their SANFL side and becoming a regular name on their list of best players. While the wait was worthwhile, he said his debut felt like it was over in a flash.

“As soon as I ran out, it felt like I was singing the song about a minute after that. The two days leading up to it were probably the two longest days I’ve ever had.” Boak said.

“I think standing in the circle at the end with Gray, Tredrea and Westhoff singing the song is definitely a moment I’ll never forget and treasure for the rest of my life.”

As Boak watched Cockshell, Krakouer, Gray and Westhoff debut, he remained patient and confident that his time would come.

“The club (Port Adelaide) has been fantastic, Mark Williams has been such a great teacher and he has given me so much confidence. He hasn’t put any pressure on us (young players) at all and really he’s given us the belief that we can do it. Playing good footy in the SANFL has just given me a lot more confidence to play good footy,” he said.

Other than gaining confidence from the coach, Boak revealed his teammates also played a big part in his first AFL match.

“Players like Steven Salopek and Kane Cornes gave me a lot of help and a lot of belief.”

With his hard work paying off and a solid start to his AFL career, Boak can look forward to more games and more memories with his Power teammates.