EMERGING star Travis Boak says the onus is on Port Adelaide’s younger brigade to share the leadership load in the absence of veterans Warren Tredrea, Chad Cornes, Brendon Lade and the recently retired Michael Wilson.
Last week, vice-captain Shaun Burgoyne assumed the role as skipper, but was well supported by experienced players Kane Cornes, Dom Cassisi and Dean Brogan and promising talents Boak and Alipate Carlile.
Boak, who picked up 28 possessions and a goal opposed to Saints star Lenny Hayes, said the club’s younger players were thriving on greater opportunities.
“The weekend showed that with players like Tredders, Chad and Ladey out, it’s time for the younger leaders to stand up,” he said.
“There’s Kane Cornes, Shaun Burgoyne and those kinds of guys and then there’s the next tier. I’ve tried to step up a bit myself and Tommy Logan and guys like that have a good chance to do the same. Paul Stewart’s playing some good footy as well, it’s fantastic and a fantastic time for us younger guys in the side.”
The Power unearthed two promising debutants last week in nuggetty defender Mitch Farmer and booming right-footer Nick Salter.
Port Adelaide is poised to unveil more young talent in the remaining three rounds with Boak’s former U18’s teammate Ryan Williams in impressive form for Central Districts. Last week, Williams took out the club’s SANFL player of the week and, after being named as an emergency on the weekend, is close to an AFL call up.
“Hopefully Ryan does get a game. I’m pretty close with him and he’s been playing some really good footy down at Centrals,” Boak said.
“With Salter and Mitch Farmer coming into the side last week and playing some good footy, it’s a really exciting time and, if Ryan can get a game in the next couple of weeks it would be fantastic for him.
“Before the game against St Kilda, it was really exciting seeing the young, first-game boys running out.”
Boak sat out Wednesday’s indoor training session with a hip flexor strain, but is expected to be available for Saturday’s clash with Carlton. Salter, who was crunched in the second quarter of last week’s loss, should be fit to play his second game while
Troy Chaplin (ankle) and Robbie Gray (ankle) are also a chance to resume.
In round 11, the Power suffered an embarrassing loss at home to Carlton after leading by five goals at the final change.
Boak said the Power would look to the future and not the past to overcome the Blues this weekend.
“That was a pretty disappointing game [in round 11]. We don’t want to focus on that much, but obviously they are in some pretty good form and want to play finals football. We want to try and knock them off and stop them from getting in the eight,” he said.
“We’ll be looking to come out, like last week, with a young side playing an exciting brand of footy. We’re looking to finish the game on a high with a few good wins. With a young side, we want to try and develop and look towards next year.”