AS Port Adelaide prepares to crown its 2020 club champion at next Thursday’s Best and Fairest count, portadelaidefc.com.au looks at the contenders to take home the John Cahill Medal.
How the voting works: Following the completion of each game, the panel of Senior Coach Ken Hinkley, Senior Assistant Michael Voss, each player’s respective line coach and General Manager – Football Chris Davies cast their votes. Each player’s performance is rated between 0-5, with a maximum of 20 and minimum of zero votes awarded per player, per game.
John Cahill Medal Contender – Travis Boak
Evergreen midfielder Travis Boak continued to prove age is just a number by putting together another stellar season in 2020 and will enter next week’s count as the red-hot favourite.
Off the back of his John Cahill Medal-winning 2019, Boak again proved to be Port’s man in the middle, dominating in the Power’s engine room.
Well known for his elite standards of professionalism, the 32-year-old showed no signs of slowing down despite the compressed fixture of the COVID-19 affected season, playing all 19 games.
Boak led his side in disposals (22.9) and clearances (5.1) per game, ranking elite in both categories, while eclipsing the 20-possession mark in 14 games, despite 2020’s shorter quarter lengths, and added eight goals for good measure.
The former captain received his second Showdown Medal for his strong showing in the Prison Bars, was selected in his third All-Australian team, named in the centre and as vice-captain, and also finished runner-up for the AFL Players Association MVP, AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year and Brownlow Medal, finishing with an equal career-high 21 votes from the umpires.
Boak’s season has already been littered with accolades for his impressive play. It took him eight years to claim a second John Cahill Medal. Can he add a third just a season later?
Three of the best:
Round 1 vs Gold Coast
Boak wasted no time shifting up the gears in 2020, playing a crucial role in Port establishing themselves as the ladder leaders in Round 1. The classy on-baller finished with 25 disposals, seven clearances, five inside 50s and three Brownlow votes.
Round 3 vs Fremantle
Port Adelaide took to ‘Hub Life’ like a fish to water and Boak was equally impressive in slippery conditions against the Dockers at Metricon Stadium. Clean at ground level and damaging pushing the ball forward, Boak racked up 26 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances, eight inside 50s (season-high) and a goal.
Round 16 vs North Melbourne
Maybe the former skipper’s best game of the season, finishing with season-highs with 34 disposals, and nine clearances to go with seven inside 50s and a goal.
