Opinion Travis Boak

[Schulzenfest]

Currently on 125 PAFC games

Would take an almighty effort

Oh, sorry, missed the 'PAFC games' qualifier. Derp.

 

[Janus]

Provided he's still physically capable of playing as a full time onballer, his wishy-washy superfluousness reminds me of the shitty outside flanker/receiver role Ebert found himself in at times last year.

Shock-horror, we put him back in the front line midfield role he was born for and he's being touted for All-Australian honours.

Ryder-Boak-Wines-Ebert as first rotation with the likes of Gray, SPP, Polec and Wingard as next drop should be nigh-on unbeatable against just about anyone, but here we are, mired in mediocrity.

Every side needs a player that can play that 'shitty outside flanker/reciever role' though. The problem is that when we are playing Ah Chee in the side instead of an endurance athlete like Monfries (before his injury), or a guy with speed like White who has the pace to give a point of difference, we have to put Boak in that position.

You would hope that eventually someone like Atley or Drew could take over the role - probably Atley. But for this year, I don't understand why Hinkley doesn't coach to win a flag now rather than next year or in two years time. So ****ing stupid.

 

[Nemisis]

No he didn't - he said he's a forward-midfielder - a role that every team has at least one player playing. "As a forward, you're still coming through the midfield a lot, and getting up and back a fair bit...I'm probably still part of the midfield group, I probably just don't spend as much time at centre bounces, I've probably only had one or two a week. But I probably still consider myself as a midfielder, just starting at the forward position...You've certainly got to run a bit."

Any frustration he has would be from the fact that the only reason he is playing this role is because White/Monfries aren't being selected for differing reasons and Ah Chee is in his spot in the midfield rotation, because there's no way Ah Chee can do what Boak can in terms of getting up and back.

So he does what is best for the team dynamic and plays a role that no-one else has the endurance for at this stage - sacrificing his own game for the team. It's another reason why I want Ah Chee out of the side because he ****s up the whole structure. He looks like a big bodied mid/forward but he's just too timid - he's the main reason why we went after Powell-Pepper in the first place.

Boak:
"As a forward ..."
"I'm probably still part of the midfield group ..."
He is hardly endorsing himself as a midfielder. Boak is playing as a forward who runs up and down the ground like all small forwards do. He needs to be our third in line mid after Ollie and Ebo.
"I'm probably still part of the midfield group..."

 

[tribey]

Every side needs a player that can play that 'shitty outside flanker/reciever role' though. The problem is that when we are playing Ah Chee in the side instead of an endurance athlete like Monfries (before his injury), or a guy with speed like White who has the pace to give a point of difference, we have to put Boak in that position.

You would hope that eventually someone like Atley or Drew could take over the role - probably Atley. But for this year, I don't understand why Hinkley doesn't coach to win a flag now rather than next year or in two years time. So ******* stupid.

Oh I wholeheartedly agree. It's just it was so blatantly obvious it shouldn't have been Ebert (last year) and shouldn't be Boak this year.

If Boak's still capable of being a frontline mid, I'd honestly rather have Wines in the inside/outside/forward role. He has superb goalsense, is a strong mark, long leg and he probably deserves a chop-out. He's getting battered inside without much respite.

 

[JimmyBeerCans]

Let's face it if his name wasn't Travis Boak & he didn't have the (C) next to his name he'd have been playing magoos a fair bit in recent history.

 

[bomberclifford]

Let's face it if his name wasn't Travis Boak & he didn't have the (C) next to his name he'd have been playing magoos a fair bit in recent history.

So he'd be Jimmy Toumpas?

 

[LP7_]

All of this makes Monfries' non-selection even more staggering.

 

[JimmyBeerCans]

So he'd be Jimmy Toumpas?

Jiminy Boampass

 

[Killer Power]

Read this - http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...nt-to-love-his-job-again-20170317-gv0ocu.html

I suspect his comment is less about not being aware of Boak's issues but more about his own views on the validity of the illness. At the least he hasn't responded to clarify.

 

[Doctor Feel]

So he'd be Jimmy Toumpas?

In a lot of ways, he isn't playing dissimilarly.

 

[Janus]

All of this makes Monfries' non-selection even more staggering.

Ken will point to the fact that he pinged his calf as justification for his call, because I'm pretty sure Gus was getting up to the level of running required for AFL. Remember when White had the same issue and was out for a couple of weeks?

 

[Jonts]

left field thought
Could Travis Boak become a tagger?
Like imo is no slower than the Ryan crowleys, scott selwoods and Sam Gibsons of the world
I think it's worth a crack

 

[Macca19]

Let's face it if his name wasn't Travis Boak & he didn't have the (C) next to his name he'd have been playing magoos a fair bit in recent history.

Couldnt disagree more

 

[dogs105]

Well done to Travis Boak on his comment in the newspaper today. You guys can win it this year, and that's the kind of circuit breaker (or line in the sand) which can be the catalyst for it. Great leadership!

 

[LP7_]

Ken will point to the fact that he pinged his calf as justification for his call, because I'm pretty sure Gus was getting up to the level of running required for AFL. Remember when White had the same issue and was out for a couple of weeks?

Of course he will, he's great at covering his ass. But blokes have pinged calves at 100% fitness.

 

[Us against the rest]

I suppose it is very difficult for a coach to drop his captain but may be Travis needs to be rested for a few weeks, it wont look so bad then.
This week i want to see some real hard calls made at selections, that way i will know my club is serious about turning this crap around and are serious about finals footy.

We can't keep rewarding mediocrity and ignoring the efforts of those trying there hardest to break into the side, simple.

 

[Us against the rest]

Well done to Travis Boak on his comment in the newspaper today. You guys can win it this year, and that's the kind of circuit breaker (or line in the sand) which can be the catalyst for it. Great leadership!

Cassisi draws ‘line in the sand’

 

[MrMeaner]

Boak faces a catch-22: he's the captain, so we* expect and need him to impose himself on the game at certain times but the role in which he is currently being played, there isn't really enough of an opportunity to do so. Frankly, he is being played out of position which has dulled his advantages and diminished his performance.

It's not a player thing, it is a structure/coaching thing.

*I mean both the team and supporters.

 

[Tibbs]

Well done to Travis Boak on his comment in the newspaper today. You guys can win it this year, and that's the kind of circuit breaker (or line in the sand) which can be the catalyst for it. Great leadership!

He needs to show it gameday though!! We will see how they respond!

 

[Powerade 08]

So he is here till the end of 2019. Awesome.

Atley showed more in the pre-season and should have taken his spot for round 1.

 

[OneGreatClub]

Well done to Travis Boak on his comment in the newspaper today. You guys can win it this year, and that's the kind of circuit breaker (or line in the sand) which can be the catalyst for it. Great leadership!

 

[Kingfish73]

Boaky's interview was pretty much towing the party line until he opened up about his role.
You could feel his frustration when he admitted he was basically a fwd flanker - 20% midfield.
Answered the question about Wingard's 'playing for frees' really well.
Boak is a good young man who finds the leadership demanding.
Port are treating Boak and Robbie as if they are both aged in their mid 30's!! They are both in their prime 27/28 for crying out loud- both should be leading from the front in the midfield.

If he finds the leadership demanding he should stand down and focus on his footy. Nothing wrong with that. Re Wanganeen. You either thrive on it or not. He is no longer. I am not going to speculate about his life outside of football. His business. But he is obviously struggling with captaincy and it is time for him to hand reigns. Redefine himself and his role. But of course it wont happen next year.

 

[Kingfish73]

Boak was still a very good player for us in 2015. It's only the last 18 months that he's dropped off a bit.

His 2015 included about a dozen very good games and the reason polled well in brownlow. But started showing signs of regressing. It was not a complete season like 2013 and 2014.

 

[TeeKray]

His 2015 included about a dozen very good games and the reason polled well in brownlow. But started showing signs of regressing. It was not a complete season like 2013 and 2014.

Yeah. He was AA in 2013/2014 which as a midfielder especially puts you among the very elite players in the league. A slight step down in 2015 but still a very good player. The last 18 months hasn't been anywhere near the level he produced at his peak.

 

[Puddy]

Hes averaging 21 and a goal. Solid stats in the role he is playing. I dont mind it, as long as the midfield is firing