Friday, 30 November 2018:
 | | TRAVIS BOAK of the Power passes the ball during the AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Port Adelaide Power at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. | |
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Travis Boak has quit as captain of AFL club Port Adelaide.
Boak has stepped down after six years in the role, paving the way for Ollie Wines to take over the captaincy.
"I've hit 30 now and I'm at the back end of my career so I think it's a good chance for a change of direction," Boak said in a statement on Friday.
Wines, 24, has been Port's vice-captain for the past two seasons and is expected to be ratified as the next skipper early next year.
Boak said it was the "right time" for him to hand over the captaincy.
"The club is in a good position with everything that has been set up off the field and on the field," he said.
"So it's a perfect opportunity for the next person to come in and take the lead and push the group forward.
"I'll still be a leader around the club and whoever takes over next, I'll be there to support them.
"We've got a strong leadership group and a lot of senior players and I'll be one of those who'll be there to guide and provide advice as much as I can."
Boak last season headed a seven-man leadership group with Wines, Tom Jonas, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Charlie Dixon and Tom Rockliff.
Boak is the club's most-capped captain, leading in 137 games since taking over from Dom Cassisi in 2013.
Power coach Ken Hinkley said Boak had made a selfless decision to step down.
"Travis always does what is right and what is best for the team," Hinkley said.
"And no matter what, nothing is going to get in the way of Trav's ultimate goal, which is team success.
"We are in a pretty lucky situation where we've now got three or four people who I think could clearly step up.
"They have been shown how a great leader like Travis acts. He has been a great example of what a strong captain looks like.
"Trav's a selfless person, he knows it's the right time, and I think it's a great decision because it'll free him up to enjoy the last parts of his career.
"(It) may even extend his career because being captain, as much as it's an honour, can also be a burden on people.
"To release some of that responsibility will be good for Travis and to allow someone else to experience it will be good for them."
