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Port's humble hero Boak just wants a win: coach Hinkley

3 minute read

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says club legend Travis Boak just wants a win in his 350th AFL match against Richmond on Sunday.

KEN HINKLEY the coach of the Power looks on during a Port Adelaide Power AFL training session at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia.
KEN HINKLEY the coach of the Power looks on during a Port Adelaide Power AFL training session at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Port Adelaide's humble hero Travis Boak wants one thing to mark his 350th AFL game, says his coach Ken Hinkley.

"Ultimately Trav ... will just want a victory for the club, that is the most important thing," Hinkley said.

Boak will become just the 23rd VFL/AFL player to reach the 350-game milestone when the Power meet Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.

Durable and versatile, the former Port captain has missed just 26 games through injury since making his debut in round 12, 2007.

"It is incredible endurance not only to keep going, but wanting to compete and at such a high level," Hinkley said.

"He also has wanted to improve every year. That's what sets him apart in some ways, he always tries to better himself.

"Trav is one of the great players of the game and everyone recognises what he has done in football ... he is one of the special people in your life who you remember forever."

The Power trounced struggling West Coast by 50 points in their season opener last Sunday, whereas the Tigers have played twice and lost twice - by five points against Carlton last start, and by 39 points to Gold Coast.

Compounding those results are injuries to defenders Josh Gibcus (achilles) and Tylar Young (concussion) and stalwart Dion Prestia (hamstring).

Gibcus will miss five months and Prestia will be sidelined for at least eight weeks in a blow to Richmond's first-year coach Adem Yze.

"Losing a couple of defenders wasn't ideal last week," Yze said.

"We are shattered for Josh, he's obviously going to have five months out, and then Dion is going to have an extended period out as well."

Yze has also warned his captain Toby Nankervis to be on high alert in his ruck battle against Ivan Soldo, a member of Richmond's 2019 premiership side who transferred to Port this season.

"Big Ivan played really well last week," Yze said after Soldo's impressive two-goal, 28-hitout display against the Eagles.

"He is obviously a premiership player at our footy club, mates with a lot of our players.

"No doubt (at game time) he is going to be the enemy and it's going to be on for young and old."

Hinkley expected his new lead ruckman Soldo to rise to the challenge.

"Everyone who plays against their old team for the first time definitely has something that little bit extra in there," Hinkley said.

"I am sure there is anxiety, nerves - and there will be want.

"He will handle it really well."

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