Port Adelaide champion Travis Boak says it’s “pretty special” to be just the 23rd VFL/AFL player to play 350 games ahead of hitting the huge milestone this weekend.
Appearing on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, The Power games record holder and former skipper acknowledgedit’s “been an honour for me to represent the footy club for so long,” set to run out for the 350th time when Port faces Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
A one-club player across 18 AFL seasons, Boak, 35, has remained fiercely loyal to Port Adelaide across his career including the Victorian turning down approaches from rival teams on multiple occasions.
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Power coach Ken Hinkley paid a touching tribute to Boak this week, saying “Port Adelaide mightn’t be here if it wasn’t for Travis.”
Asked about his coach’s kind endorsement, Boak admitted he got emotional.
“I saw that pop up and it nearly brought a tear to my eye,” the veteran revealed on AFL 360 on Tuesday night.
“We certainly went through some tough times as a footy club. I’m not the only one that stayed around during the dark times … it’s been one hell of a journey, that’s for sure.
“Unfortunately we still haven’t been able to get the milestone we want — the premiership cup — and hopefully that comes sooner rather than later.”
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Boak conceded life after footy was “starting to become a reality” as he’s “obviously getting closer to the end,” noting that’s the importance of having “good people around you.”
He said 2023 was his “most challenging year injury wise,” but felt towards the back-end of the year he had “more left to give” amid talk at the time he could hang up the boots.
A three-time All-Australian, two-time best and first winner and two-time Showdown medallist, Boak said he wants to leave footy “exhausted”.
“I’ve always said I wanted to get everything out of my body and mind and leave every last ounce out there. I don’t think I want to walk off with anything left to be honest,” he said.
Boak received a special live tribute from Collingwood star Jeremy Howe, also appearing on AFL 360, telling the Port Adelaide great: “You have players in your side that inspire teammates consistently — and I think you’re one of them.”
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