Family ties for Port in Torquay

Jane Emerick
WHILE Torquay rallies behind the Cats for tomorrow’s grand final, one local family will be proudly barracking for Port Adelaide.
Jan Juc footballer Travis Boak will make his grand final debut as a midfielder for Port Adelaide in his first year in the AFL.
His family said they were excited to see Boak play the biggest game of his career.
The 19-year-old had his start with Torquay before moving up to the AFL last year.
Port Adelaide’s pick-five selection of Boak ended speculation the local star would end up with the Geelong Football Club.
The early pick of Boak was tied for Port Adelaide’s equal lowest draft selection in the club’s history.
Just weeks after making his AFL debut in June, Boak was selected as the NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for Round 19.
The match against Carlton was said to be the promising rookie’s best, where he booted two goals and gathered 28 possessions including 11 kicks and 17 handpasses.
Port Adelaide’s captain Warren Tredrea acknowledged the maturity of Boak, who celebrated his 19th birthday in August.
Coach Mark Williams said Boak was progressing in the top league and was well-deserving of the nomination.
“Travis progressed really well through the SANFL to now be a more consistent playing in the AFL. He’s showing more and more confidence, kicking goals on the run out of the stoppages and showing some qualities as far as tackles, chases and interceptions,” Williams said.
“Travis does things that the modern footballer has to do – he reads the ball well, he’s got poise in close, he runs well and he makes good decisions. He’s got a sense of purpose about himself and understands the value of hard work. We look forward to Travis having a long blossoming career at Port Adelaide. I’m sure his family would be very proud of him.”