OK, IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT TRAVIS BOAK

When the Brownlow conversation heats up across social media, the names of Kelly, Neale, Dangerfield, Cripps, Fyfe, Grundy and Bontempelli continue to be thrown around – which is closely followed by disgust from the public (primarily South Australians), disgusted by the neglect of Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak.

It appears Ken Hinkley full lost his mind for two years when he thought he’d play Boak as a half forward, giving the impression to most people that the 30-year-old is on the decline. But the reinjection of Boak back into the midfield has seen him post career best disposal numbers going from 21.9 last year to the second-best ball winner in the competition with 32.4 per game, only behind Adam Treloar. So can Boak win the Brownlow?

- Ollie Wines has been Port’s best poller over the last two years – he won’t be this year, playing only nine games with only the three of those over 30 possessions.

- Robbie Gray has also played more midfield time this year, but don’t let appearances fool you. He generally doesn’t poll to expectation, 1 vote below his 2017 prediction and 2.87 behind his 2018 prediction, only polling the 8 votes. If we go back all the way to 2014 when he won the AFL Coaches Association MVP, he only polled 14 as third favourite for the Brownlow.

- Travis Boak can poll. Throw the last three years out the window – that being said he still managed to poll 10 votes in 2017, +2 above expectation. Let’s go back to 2010 – Boak polled 16 votes finishing top 10 in his fourth season. He was $3.50 for most votes for Port Adelaide that year, and finished 8 votes clear of their next best, David Rodan.

- In 2014 Boak had statistically the best of his career (until now). It was his teammate Robbie Gray that went in though as a $7 third favourite after winning the AFL Coaches Association MVP, whilst Boak entered as a $41 shot for the Charlie. Matt Priddis would win this year as a $17 chance – but Boak didn’t disappoint, finishing top 5 with 21 votes.

- 2015, once again Robbie Gray is favourite to lead Port Adelaide’s vote count. A combination of votes from media outlets predict Gray to poll 17 and Boak 15. Once again, Boak polls overs with 16, and Gray unders with 13.

- In 2014 Boak averaged 26.8 disposals – a career best. Port Adelaide’s disposal numbers have increased by 5.6% in 2019 from 2014, but Boak’s disposal increase this year compared to 2014 is at 20.9%, averaging 32.4. With Wines out of the question, only two players from the Power will potentially take votes – Robbie Gray (we know what he’s like) and Tom Rockliff, who has missed 4 games.

The leaderboard is tight, and expected to be a lot lower than recent counts. After 40 possessions against the Giants in what should be 3 more votes, Travis Boak at $26 with Ladbrokes is outstanding value.

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