There was a time several years ago when the career of Travis Boak looked to be on the back nine.
Relegated to the half-forward flank in the 2018 season, Boak watched as others usurped time in the middle of the ground. He had a choice at that point of his career; accept that he was no longer viewed as a vital cog in the midfield machine at Alberton, or do something about it.
Of course, history demonstrates that Boak took the second option, the harder road, and made good on it, as well. Returning to the middle in 2019, Boak went about re-establishing himself as one of the prime movers in, not only the Port Adelaide midfield, but in the league. Hitting 30 disposals per game for the first time in his wonderful career, Boak became the poster boy for getting better after turning thirty years of age.
But that was then.
Coming into this week’s cutthroat final against GWS, Boak is a shadow of the player he was even just 12 months ago. Averaging a career-low 15.7 disposals per game, he is no longer the player the club looks to when they need a spark – they have Zak Butters and Connor Rozee for that, now. Relegated to the wing, or to play as the substitute, reports surfaced this week that Boak is being nudged toward the door at Port, and it will be interesting to see how he deals with this.
Again, we have a choice put in front of the Port Adelaide great – does he accept that he is no longer an integral part of this side?
Or does he do something about it?
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