Port Adelaide star voices plans to become a Tiger

FOR any coach, it’s not a bad way to start a Friday when one of the Brownlow Medal fancies expresses his desire to play for your club when he retires.

At least that was the feeling for Torquay player-coach Dom Gleeson, as his phone ran hot with an influx of messages about Port Adelaide skipper and Torquay boy Travis Boak voicing his passion to play for the Tigers when his time in the AFL comes to an end.

Boak told a Melbourne metropolitan newspaper he would love to pull on the number 5 guernsey, the same number his late father Roger- a legend of the club – wore at Torquay.

Roger played more than 200 games in a decorated career and since his passing in 2005, the club captain now wears the number 5 while the best first-year player award is named in Roger’s honour.

While it is an extremely exciting prospect for the club, Gleeson was quick to point out Torquay fans may have to wait a few years given the outstanding form the 32-year-old is in.

“One part of me is super excited… but I’m not holding my breath, he’s one of the Brownlow favourites, he’s at the peak of his powers,” Gleeson said.

“It was really good to hear, it just highlights the impact the Boak family have had on the Torquay Football Club and the legacy he holds.

“I think for mine, most AFL footballers ideally would love to finish at their home club and give back.”

As for the coveted number 5 jumper, Gleeson joked that Boak might have to convince the incumbent Tigers skipper first.

“I said you’ll have to wrestle Ben Raidme for the number 5 guernsey,” Gleeson laughed.

Boak is gearing up for a huge preliminary final against Richmond on Friday night. Victory would send Port Adelaide into its first grand final since 2007.