Boak bows out in record style

Boak was drafted in 2006 and captained Port Adelaide from 2013 to 2018, earning a reputation as one of the game’s most respected leaders. (AAP Image/Matt Turner)

Travis Boak has finished his AFL career on a high, helping Port Adelaide to a hard-fought win in Ken Hinkley’s final game and becoming the most-capped player to come through the Geelong Falcons pathway.

Boak played game 386 on Friday night, leading from the front as the Power edged past Gold Coast by four points at Adelaide Oval.

The 10.11 (71) to 9.13 (67) result gave Boak and Hinkley the perfect send-off, with emotional post-match scenes shared with fans, teammates and family.

Boak was drafted in 2006 and captained Port Adelaide from 2013 to 2018, earning a reputation as one of the game’s most respected leaders.

He now sits at the top of the Falcons’ all-time AFL games list, surpassing club greats Gary Ablett (357), Patrick Dangerfield (357*) and Luke Hodge (346).

His retirement marks the end of an 18-year career defined by consistency, class and resilience.

The question now: will Boak return to where it all began?

Locals are already speculating about a possible homecoming to the Torquay Tigers, with hopes he may pull on the boots for a season or two in the Bellarine Football League.

Also featuring high on the Falcons games list are Jordan Lewis (319), Jimmy Bartel (305), Matthew Scarlett (284), Scott Lucas (270), Shaun Higgins (260) and Jonathan Brown (256).

Boak now leads them all.

“There's times where I drive home from a game … I look over and there's no one in the front seat and that's the moment that I miss most.”

Travis Boak opens up about the loss of his father and how much of an influence he had on his footballing career ❤️ pic.twitter.com/e4QgH5srDE

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 9, 2025