Port Adelaide made headlines on Thursday when it revealed its senior coach had contracted a virus and had been advised to not travel to the club’s Round 6 match against North Melbourne in Hobart.
Boak was a standout for the Power with 30 disposals, including 20 to half time, but lamented a tough day at the office for his team.
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He said it was difficult to know whether the absence of Hinkley had upset the team’s performance on the day, but said the playing group was chiefly responsibility for what happens on-field during the game.
“As soon as the players run onto the ground it’s really up to us,” said Boak.
“We played in patches, and you’re not going to beat good sides – North Melbourne are a good side – if you play in patches.
“We came out in the first five or six minutes and played some really good footy (then) we let them run over the top of us.
“To come back from six goals after the first quarter is pretty tough.”
Despite praise from acting senior coach Alan Richardson about the team’s resolve to claw back the Kangaroos’ lead to ten points by the close of play, Boak was unsatisfied with the team’s performance.
“They boys ran it out, but you’re not going to win games with just patches of footy.”
Port Adelaide plays a Richmond side similarly coming off a loss next Saturday at AAMI Stadium.
