PORT Adelaide has claimed itsthird NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for the season, with Travis Boak winningthe honours for his performance in round 19 against Carlton.

Boak, who hails from the surfing town of Torquayin Victoria,made his way to the club via the No.5 selection in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, andmade his debut in round 12 this year.

Since then, the 19-year-old has played every senior game,averaging nearly 18 possessions a match. He told afl.com.au he was “over themoon” to be nominated. 

"Personally, [Saturday] was probably my best game forthe season, but for the team, we were lucky to get away with it. For me, I waspretty happy though."

Boak is starting to feel more confident within the sideafter enduring a regulation start to his playing career, and is finding seniorfootball more comfortable as the weeks progress.

"I've probably been up and down a little bit. My firstfew games were probably a little bit shaky, but from there, I started to get alittle bit more confidence," he said.

"I've been trying to put a bit of consistency togethersince then, and if we keep winning, it's a bonus.

"For my first game, I couldn't sleep the night before,and up in Brisbanefor my second game, I was still a little bit nervous running around with thebig stars like Simon Black.

"But I think in the last couple of weeks, I'vedefinitely become more confident."

Boak was another talented sportsperson in his teenage years,having to choose between pursuing cricket or football at the age of 16.

With a sudden rise in his footballing ability - and stressfractures in his back hampering his desire to become a fast bowler - Boak madethe decision to become serious about an AFL career.

He wasn't disappointed to find out he'd be leaving his hometown last November when the Power picked him up, although his Carlton-lovingfamily were sad to see him go.

"I was sitting at home, listening to the radio, andwhen my name got read out to Port Adelaide, I think everyone in the room wascrying except me," he said.

"My mum was pretty upset, but then we talked about itand I said, ‘Mum, it was my dream to play AFL, and I don't really care where Igo’.

"To come over here and to meet all the players and thecoaching staff – and I've made a couple of friends over here now – it's justbeen fantastic, and I'm loving it.

"Mum comes over every weekend, she hasn't missed a gameyet, and my sisters and girlfriend as well, so [home] isn't too far away."

Port Adelaideis the only team with three NAB AFL Rising Star nominees so far this season –something Boak believes is a testament to the club's commitment to giving itsyoung guns a chance.

"It's definitely the coaching staff. We've all cometogether and I think there was about six [players drafted] from interstate, sowe've bonded together, and the teaching methods that Mark Williams and thecoaching staff have developed and introduced us to have been fantastic,"he said.

"Obviously, it's all paying dividends. They've playedfour or five of the young guys now, so we're getting an opportunity, and it'sgood to see everyone making the most of it."

The other nominees for the 2007 NAB AFL Rising Star are:Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Cameron Wood (Brisbane Lions), Tom Hawkins (Geelong),Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Ricky Petterd(Melbourne), Jess Smith (Kangaroos), Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs), MitchClark (Brisbane Lions), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Shannon Hurn (West Coast),Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Marty Clarke (Collingwood), Scott McMahon(Kangaroos), Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Nathan Jones (Melbourne), and Tom Williams (WesternBulldogs).