LIFE starts at 30 for former Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak.
A footballer's form generally tapers off once they depart their 20s and hit the downslope of their career, but the Power star is defying the odds.
Having the weight of the captaincy removed from his shoulders, along with a permanent move back to the midfield, has worked wonders.
Friday night's 16-point victory against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval showcased the improvement Boak – who turns 31 on August 1 - has made in his game.
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He won the ball at stoppages, covering the ground smoothly and converting on the scoreboard when he does drift forward.
Boak was enormous, finishing with a season-high 38 disposals, 15 of those contested, to go with 11 clearances, nine inside 50s and a goal.
His average of 32.6 disposals per game is easily better than his career mark of 23.4 across his 13 seasons.
Boak was a worthy winner of the Peter Badcoe VC Medal for the third time as the player who best displayed the Anzac spirit.
Travis Boak kicks for goal against the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos
He's been through plenty of adversity during his lengthy career with the Power.
He was there during their lowest ebb in the early 2010s when offers to return home to Victoria were on the table.
No one would have blamed Boak if he left, but he stuck with the Power to help get the club back to where they belonged.
Appointed captain in senior coach Ken Hinkley's first season in charge in 2013, Boak led the Power to a semi-final before getting all the way to a preliminary final the following year.
The past few seasons have been difficult for the Power with their list not reaching the lofty heights expected.
After six years in the top job, Boak stepped down from the captaincy at the end of last season to focus on his own form.
The decision has proved to be a masterstroke.
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Boak put himself through a brutal pre-season.
He travelled to the US for a training camp and got himself in great nick.
Upon returning to Alberton for the start of pre-season training, Boak's fitness made the Power coaching staff consider shifting him back to a permanent midfield role, having played across half-forward for the past few years.
He essentially swapped roles with Brad Ebert, who is now playing as a deeper forward to great effect.
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The way that Boak is playing, he's going to be right in the mix for the Brownlow Medal.
His previous best finish was in 2014 when he polled 21 votes to finish equal fourth behind West Coast's Matt Priddis, on 26.
Boak will play his 250th game against Collingwood at Marvel Stadium next Friday night.
It'll be a great test not only for the Power to measure their progress, but also a big stage for a player who is at his peak.
