TRAVIS BOAK will draw level with Matthew Primus as Port Adelaide’s equal-longest serving AFL captain, after being voted to wear the traditional No. 1 captain’s guernsey again in 2017.
Players voted to appoint Boak to the captaincy for a fifth consecutive season last week.
22-year-old Ollie Wines has also been appointed to the position of vice-captain for the first time after spending the 2015 and 2016 seasons as part of the leadership group.
Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett and Tom Jonas continue in the Power’s leadership team, while Jackson Trengove has been reappointed to the group.
In one of the earlier announcements of the club’s leadership team, the appointment of the captains and supporting leaders will provide Port Adelaide with a base to reignite its pre-season when players return from Christmas leave.
Senior coach Ken Hinkley lauded the re-appointment of Boak to the captaincy, and canvassed a future for Ollie Wines via the deputy elevation.
“Travis continues to grow and develop his leadership, and after five years this group now has a well-rounded leader off the field, as well as a relentless competitor on it,” Hinkley told portadelaidefc.com.au
“I think I speak for everyone at our footy club when I say Travis’s leadership sits nicely alongside those captains who came before him.
“For Ollie, who has barely missed a game since his debut, this is a tremendous opportunity for him to take his leadership to a new level.
“He’s a relentless competitor, and this opportunity will keep him on a path towards, I’m sure, bigger jobs in the future.
“The senior leadership given by Brad, Hamish, Tom and Jackson will be invaluable for our group as well.”
Boak spoke of the honour of retaining the coveted No. 1 guernsey in 2017.
While he will draw level on a season basis with the leadership of Matthew Primus, he will become the longest-serving 'games' leader of the Power - barring injury - by overtaking Warren Tredrea at some point during the 2017 season.
“To be given the job of leading this group of players is a huge responsibility, but something I’m ready for once again in 2017,” Boak said.
“Captaining Port Adelaide is an honour, as much now as when I first was given the job for the 2013 season.
“Ollie will be a great vice-captain and he has developed tremendously since debuting in 2013, and having Hamish, Brad, TJ and Jacko in the group provides some strong, senior experience for the rest of our group.
“We’re very excited for next year.”
Wines said his elevation to the vice-captaincy will be a new challenge for last year's runner-up in the John Cahill Medal race.
“It’s always an honour to be part of the leadership group again this year, and to be asked to take on the vice-captaincy is a very special moment,” Wines said.
“What it tells me is that there’s additional responsibility, knowing your teammates are calling on you to lead more again next year, and providing additional support to Travis.
“It’s something I’m looking forward to taking on in 2017.”
