New Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak, right, with former skipper Dominic Cassisi. Picture: Keryn Stevens. Source: The Advertiser
PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has credited the summer efforts of Travis Boak coupled with a rejuvenated focus at Alberton for the decision to appoint the Victorian as the club's fifth AFL captain.
Hinkley and his coaching staff sought a long-term captain and the fact Boak will be able to tap into previous captain Dom Cassisi's knowledge and experience made it an easy decision.
Boak takes over the No. 1 jumper flanked by new vice-captain Brad Ebert, who returned to his childhood club last season from West Coast and had such an impact he finished second (tied with Matthew Broadbent) behind Kane Cornes in the club's best and fairest.
Hinkley, who spoke with Boak before he signed a new contract, said the captaincy had not been part of negotiations.
It was a logical way to move for the club and it did it with Cassisi's blessing.
The appointment is seen as another part of the club's rejuvenation, with the on-field leadership following the board and the coaching staff in being turned over.
Power leaders, from left, former skipper Dominic Cassisi, new captain Travis Boak, coach Ken Hinkley and vice-captain Brad Ebert. Picture: Keryn Stevens.
"Those boys have shown right over the summer to everyone on the coaching staff that they're ready to take over and take the lead," Hinkley said.
"Coming in as a new coach, I had the benefit of being able to really take a fresh look at all the players' leadership qualities over the past three months.
"We've watched the actions of the boys throughout pre-season right back to the trip overseas in late October, looking at their ability to show leadership and demonstrate it on a daily basis.
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"There's no doubt we have the right leaders in Travis and Brad.
"They are players of significance ready to play important roles on the field and off.
When you elect your captain, you want somebody who's going to be able to be a great captain and we have that in Travis
"Leadership is a big part of our club's stability and I want a long-term structure to go along with me as a new coach, so I am thrilled that we have players of such calibre and character to be in a position to make this renewal and transition for my first season."
Hinkley shot down the notion the appointment of Boak was reward for staying at Alberton rather than being lured by offers from Geelong or another Victorian club.
To Hinkley, both Boak's decision to stay and the decision to appoint him captain came down to the character of the player.
"I see it as reward for the type of person he is," Hinkley said.
"When you elect your captain, you want somebody who's going to be able to be a great captain and we have that in Travis."
Boak, who takes up the role at 24 years and with 108 games under his belt, was confident he wouldn't be overburdened by it.
"I think it's pretty much business as usual," he said.
"I don't really want to change my game at all.
"I'll just continue to do the things I've been doing that's got me in this position.
"I won't change the way I am on the footy field or in training and I'll get support from Dom and Kane and obviously the older guys as well.
"I've got a lot to learn in the captaincy role but did it a couple of times last year and really enjoyed it."
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