Torquay coach Dom Gleeson is rubbing his hands together at the prospect of Travis Boak pulling on a Tigers jumper for the first time in two decades in 2026.
The former Port Adelaide captain has committed to playing with the Bellarine powerhouse after calling time on his 387-game career in August.
“We’re so excited,” Gleeson said. “He always said he was going to end up (returning to Torquay), but sometimes it just doesn’t align that way.
“Now he’s decided to do what he wants to do professionally outside of footy, he’s going to fit it in where he can to play footy.
“I just can’t wait to see him out there running around with the likes of Paddy Hughes, James Darke, and Matty Boag.
“The older players will get a kick out of it just as much as the younger players.”
Boak was drafted with pick five in the 2006 National Draft from the Geelong Falcons and featured in Port Adelaide’s grand final loss to Geelong in his debut season with the Power.
During his 19 seasons in the AFL, he won two John Cahill medals as best-and-fairest, earned All-Australian selection on three occasions, and captained the club for six seasons.
His 387 games are a club record and sit seventh overall in VFL/AFL history.
“Torquay is where my football journey started, and it’s always been a special place for me and my family,” Boak said in a statement.
“To be able to come back, play alongside some great people, and hopefully help guide the next generation of Tigers is something I’m really looking forward to.”
However, the number of appearances Boak makes in the No.5 guernsey, which was also worn by his late father Roger in four premierships for the club in the 1980s, remains unknown.
The 37-year-old has taken an off-field role with Carlton, with the Blues’ fixture likely to dictate his availability.
“It’d be only a guess,” Gleeson said
“We have spoken – and it was a while back – but he did say, ‘I want to commit to you. I’ve just got to get my ducks in a row professionally’.
“He’ll obviously do some coaching at the Blues, and then it’ll work out around that draw.
“But his appetite is to certainly play, and he even said he wants a premiership because he wasn’t fortunate enough to get one at Port Adelaide.”
X: @krockfootball
