‘I've been driven and selfish': AFL star Travis Boak on staying single
Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects we're told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics they're given. This week he speaks to Travis Boak. The Port Adelaide midfielder, 36, holds the club's record for most AFL games played: 380 and counting. He's made the All-Australian team three times, and won the club's best and fairest award twice.
POLITICS
You're a public figure and a role model. Did you embrace this exposure – or did it freak you out? You adapt to it. With social media, there's way more scrutiny on players, especially young players. You learn as you go that people are constantly watching and judging, and that can take away your authenticity. But vulnerability, imperfections, stuffing shit up and trying your best is the best way to lead, right?
Has it taken a lot of trial and error to land where you're at? A hundred per cent. When I was captain [of Port Adelaide from 2013 to 2018], my whole identity was based on being a footballer and captain. If I played well, if I led well, I was a good person. If I didn't, I was a bad person. I attached my entire worth to being a footballer and it completely drained me. But I had to go through that period to get where I am now.
Over your career, AFL has had its scandals. How have you seen the code and culture of the game evolve – and has it evolved enough? It's still evolving, for sure. The AFL, in particular, is a huge part of Australian culture, so we have a platform from which we can make change. The women's game has grown massively and we've made a lot of progress in the Indigenous space, too. We didn't have any of this 10 or 15 years ago.
Last year, there was a shocking display of sexism at Melbourne's Knox Football Club when male players vocally rated and tripped up female players of an opposing club as they entered the field. You were one of the first public figures to call it out, saying that more than an apology was needed. What needs to happen next? My initial reaction was, 'How does this even still happen?' It's not just one thing. Education is a huge part of it: how parents, teachers and the community talk to kids.
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Courier-Mail
32 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
Rugby union: ‘Cynical' Tom Lynagh act rocks ‘bang average' Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. Wallabies youngster Tom Lynagh was crunched mid-air in a tackle labelled 'cynical' by many during the British and Irish Lions' 27-19 victory at Suncorp Stadium. In the first match between these teams in 12 years, the Lions burst out of the blocks and controlled the majority of the 80 minutes in an ominous start to the three-Test series. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports The Aussies kept competing and narrowed the gap with tries in the 67th and 78th minutes, but it was too little too late and the outcome was never in doubt. A moment late in the first half proved a huge talking point when 22-year-old flyhalf Lynagh, the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, was taken out by Tom Curry after leaping for a high ball right on Australia's 22. Watch the Lynagh tackle in the video player above Tom Curry gives away a penalty for this mid-air tackle on Tom Lynagh. (Photo by) Considering how rarely the Lions are in this part of the world, it was a banner evening in front of a packed house in Brisbane for a sport that has struggled in Australia for years. The tourists then duly burst out of the blocks, slotting a penalty goal inside two minutes when NRL convert Joseph Suaalii was pinged for not releasing. Eight minutes later it looked like a mauling might be on the cards when Finn Russell's superb pass found Sione Tuipulotu, who crossed to give the Lions a sensational start. They had another try disallowed in the 19th minute before the Aussies struck back out of nowhere in the 28th minute. Jake Gordon's box kick led to an aerial contest in Lions territory and Max Jorgensen won the battle for the ball before powering over the line for an Australian try. Sione Tuipulotu celebrates an early try for the Lions. (Photo by) 'Jorgensen on the hunt, that's a good competition. Jorgensen! Jorgensen freakish and the try for Australia,' Sean Maloney said on Stan Sport. Wallabies great Tim Horan added: 'Unbelievable from Max Jorgensen. That's got the Wallabies fans up at Suncorp Stadium. 'They've tried that box kick a few times now and it's been a bit too deep. 'On this occasion, Gordon gets enough height on it and Max Jorgensen's only got eyes for the ball. 'He goes up, rips it away, what a try for the Wallabies.' Fellow commentator Morgan Turinui noted it was Australia's first meaningful attack of the game. Max Jorgensen hit back for the Wallabies. (Photo by) 'That's why he's there Max Jorgensen, he is an elite athlete,' he said. 'He gets up and rips it away, the Wallabies, it's their first time in possession in the Lions' 22 and they take a try out of it.' Ten minutes later, the moment arrived that had people on both sides of the globe talking. A box kick from the Lions was secured in the air by Lynagh, who was playing his fourth Test and his first run-on start, only for Curry to crunch him before his feet had landed back on the turf. 'Lynagh, great take – oh caught high. Caught in the air,' Maloney said. 'That's so brave from Tom Lynagh,' Horan continued. 'Had to put his body on the line, he gets collected in the air from Tom Curry. 'Looks like it's penalty only.' A fired up Turinui jumped in with: 'Yeah only because he's lucky enough not to land on his head. 'That's cynical. It's a chance to have a crack at a young No. 10 and the Lions have taken it. 'If you want to know, Wallabies forward pack, what the Lions want to do to your No. 10, there it is.' It immediately had the sports world talking. Sports broadcaster Motshidisi E. Mohono tweeted: 'That's so silly from Curry.' Rugby Bits was clearly relishing the moment, replying: 'Can't waste opportunities like that to smash a 10. 'They 100% have a plan to target Lynagh anyway so playing 39 minutes of a Test match and then that opportunity is there, only one outcome haha.' Hilarious. A small group of Aussie fans find themselves surrounded by Lions fans. (Photo by) X account @OzDeniser offered: 'Refereeing has been atrocious. Lynagh taken out in the air: naughty boy. Knock on by Lions at crucial point: nothing to see here.' Chalyn Rugby tweeted: 'That tackle by Tom Curry on Tom Lynagh is late, cynical and should be Yellow Carded right away.' John Duffield added: 'Tom Curry left his shoulder in the boy Lynagh there. Should have been a yellow. Dangerous.' At halftime, Aussie flanker Fraser McReight was fired up. 'It was pretty chaotic out there and pretty physical. Obviously it's just a battle out there,' he told Stan Sport. Curry scores for the Lions as his teammates erupt. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) 'You know great kicking, we've just got to stay in it discipline-wise. 'The boys are doing great, look at (Lynagh), look at Jergo out there. So f**k 'em.' Nothing like live sport to get the curses flowing. It would be fair to say the expectations of the Wallabies were low coming into this game against a powerful side made up of the best England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales can muster. Calum McClurkin, a sub-editor at the Scottish Daily Mail, made his feelings clear early in the game. Carlo Tizzano scores for the Wallabies. (Photo by) 'I said after the Argentina defeat that could be the toughest game the Lions will have all summer. Not seen much from the Aussies to suggest otherwise. Bang average and as long as the Lions don't force things too much … too many powerful ball carriers for Australia to contain. 'The Wallabies just look so limited. A shadow of what they were even 10 years ago.' Australia has been stuck in a low ebb in the 15-man game for years. If nothing else, the Aussies know the level they need to reach if they're any chance of replicating the famous Wallabies side that beat the Lions 2-1 a long 24 years ago. Originally published as 'Cynical' Tom Lynagh act rocks 'bang average' Wallabies against the Lions
The Advertiser
32 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Demons' May in strife as Blues release pressure valve
Melbourne star Steven May is at the mercy of the match review officer after leaving Francis Evans bloodied and concussed in a huge collision during the Demons' eight-point loss to Carlton. Patrick Cripps led from the front and unsung forward Ashton Moir kicked four goals in the Blues' 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) victory at the MCG on Saturday night. It ended Carlton's four-match losing streak, improving their win-loss record to 7-11 for the season, and eased pressure on embattled coach Michael Voss. But the biggest talking point out of the scrappy affair between two sides that won't play finals was two-time All-Australian defender May's third-quarter clash with Evans. The two players attacked a loose ball from opposite directions and Evans arrived a fraction of a second earlier, taking possession before May clipped him high. There did not appear to be any malice in the incident, though May's shoulder made contact with Evans' face and the Carlton forward was soon substituted out with concussion. The Blues were waiting on further assessment to determine whether Evans suffered any more damage. "Both players were in line with the ball and seemed to be attacking it ... both sort of making a play at the ball and maybe one person was one step late," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "Obviously then the incident happens, but for Frankie (Evans) to be able to hold his line with a pretty strong man coming the other way was a pretty important moment in the game." May, who had treatment on his sore right shoulder, faces the prospect of being suspended for several weeks over the incident. But he will miss at least one match regardless of the match review officer's findings, after being concussed himself from Tom De Koning's accidental knee to the head in a marking contest late in the match. "Steve's whole intent was to get the ball, clearly," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said of the Evans collision. "You can see it when you slow it down, his whole intent was to get the ball. "It's really unfortunate that you get a concussion in the game, and sometimes you can be concussed without (the player) being reported. "It's going to be one of those ones where we'll have to go through the process, but if you just look at his pure intent, it was purely for the ball and it was unfortunate." Scores were tied when the May-Evans collision occurred midway through the third term after Kysaiah Pickett had sparked Melbourne, who trailed by 19 points at half-time, back to life. Moir converted the free-kick awarded to Evans for May's high contact, and Flynn Young's first AFL goal helped the Blues to a 10-point lead at the final change. Bayley Fritsch got the Demons back within a kick with the first major of the final term, and the tight contest wasn't over until well after Charlie Curnow's long bomb gave Carlton breathing space with less than three minutes to play. Blues spearhead Curnow ended his four-week goal drought with three majors, finishing with 15 disposals and eight marks opposed to May. Cripps had 29 disposals and eight clearances for Carlton, and was at the centre of a half-time melee after a confrontation with rival skipper Max Gawn. Pickett was outstanding for Melbourne with two first-quarter goals and a pair of brilliant snaps - one from each pocket - in the third term. He finished with five goals from 23 touches, while Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver had 26 disposals and seven clearances in his 200th AFL game. Melbourne's loss left them in 13th place with a 6-12 record. Melbourne star Steven May is at the mercy of the match review officer after leaving Francis Evans bloodied and concussed in a huge collision during the Demons' eight-point loss to Carlton. Patrick Cripps led from the front and unsung forward Ashton Moir kicked four goals in the Blues' 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) victory at the MCG on Saturday night. It ended Carlton's four-match losing streak, improving their win-loss record to 7-11 for the season, and eased pressure on embattled coach Michael Voss. But the biggest talking point out of the scrappy affair between two sides that won't play finals was two-time All-Australian defender May's third-quarter clash with Evans. The two players attacked a loose ball from opposite directions and Evans arrived a fraction of a second earlier, taking possession before May clipped him high. There did not appear to be any malice in the incident, though May's shoulder made contact with Evans' face and the Carlton forward was soon substituted out with concussion. The Blues were waiting on further assessment to determine whether Evans suffered any more damage. "Both players were in line with the ball and seemed to be attacking it ... both sort of making a play at the ball and maybe one person was one step late," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "Obviously then the incident happens, but for Frankie (Evans) to be able to hold his line with a pretty strong man coming the other way was a pretty important moment in the game." May, who had treatment on his sore right shoulder, faces the prospect of being suspended for several weeks over the incident. But he will miss at least one match regardless of the match review officer's findings, after being concussed himself from Tom De Koning's accidental knee to the head in a marking contest late in the match. "Steve's whole intent was to get the ball, clearly," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said of the Evans collision. "You can see it when you slow it down, his whole intent was to get the ball. "It's really unfortunate that you get a concussion in the game, and sometimes you can be concussed without (the player) being reported. "It's going to be one of those ones where we'll have to go through the process, but if you just look at his pure intent, it was purely for the ball and it was unfortunate." Scores were tied when the May-Evans collision occurred midway through the third term after Kysaiah Pickett had sparked Melbourne, who trailed by 19 points at half-time, back to life. Moir converted the free-kick awarded to Evans for May's high contact, and Flynn Young's first AFL goal helped the Blues to a 10-point lead at the final change. Bayley Fritsch got the Demons back within a kick with the first major of the final term, and the tight contest wasn't over until well after Charlie Curnow's long bomb gave Carlton breathing space with less than three minutes to play. Blues spearhead Curnow ended his four-week goal drought with three majors, finishing with 15 disposals and eight marks opposed to May. Cripps had 29 disposals and eight clearances for Carlton, and was at the centre of a half-time melee after a confrontation with rival skipper Max Gawn. Pickett was outstanding for Melbourne with two first-quarter goals and a pair of brilliant snaps - one from each pocket - in the third term. He finished with five goals from 23 touches, while Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver had 26 disposals and seven clearances in his 200th AFL game. Melbourne's loss left them in 13th place with a 6-12 record. Melbourne star Steven May is at the mercy of the match review officer after leaving Francis Evans bloodied and concussed in a huge collision during the Demons' eight-point loss to Carlton. Patrick Cripps led from the front and unsung forward Ashton Moir kicked four goals in the Blues' 12.6 (78) to 10.10 (70) victory at the MCG on Saturday night. It ended Carlton's four-match losing streak, improving their win-loss record to 7-11 for the season, and eased pressure on embattled coach Michael Voss. But the biggest talking point out of the scrappy affair between two sides that won't play finals was two-time All-Australian defender May's third-quarter clash with Evans. The two players attacked a loose ball from opposite directions and Evans arrived a fraction of a second earlier, taking possession before May clipped him high. There did not appear to be any malice in the incident, though May's shoulder made contact with Evans' face and the Carlton forward was soon substituted out with concussion. The Blues were waiting on further assessment to determine whether Evans suffered any more damage. "Both players were in line with the ball and seemed to be attacking it ... both sort of making a play at the ball and maybe one person was one step late," Carlton coach Michael Voss said. "Obviously then the incident happens, but for Frankie (Evans) to be able to hold his line with a pretty strong man coming the other way was a pretty important moment in the game." May, who had treatment on his sore right shoulder, faces the prospect of being suspended for several weeks over the incident. But he will miss at least one match regardless of the match review officer's findings, after being concussed himself from Tom De Koning's accidental knee to the head in a marking contest late in the match. "Steve's whole intent was to get the ball, clearly," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said of the Evans collision. "You can see it when you slow it down, his whole intent was to get the ball. "It's really unfortunate that you get a concussion in the game, and sometimes you can be concussed without (the player) being reported. "It's going to be one of those ones where we'll have to go through the process, but if you just look at his pure intent, it was purely for the ball and it was unfortunate." Scores were tied when the May-Evans collision occurred midway through the third term after Kysaiah Pickett had sparked Melbourne, who trailed by 19 points at half-time, back to life. Moir converted the free-kick awarded to Evans for May's high contact, and Flynn Young's first AFL goal helped the Blues to a 10-point lead at the final change. Bayley Fritsch got the Demons back within a kick with the first major of the final term, and the tight contest wasn't over until well after Charlie Curnow's long bomb gave Carlton breathing space with less than three minutes to play. Blues spearhead Curnow ended his four-week goal drought with three majors, finishing with 15 disposals and eight marks opposed to May. Cripps had 29 disposals and eight clearances for Carlton, and was at the centre of a half-time melee after a confrontation with rival skipper Max Gawn. Pickett was outstanding for Melbourne with two first-quarter goals and a pair of brilliant snaps - one from each pocket - in the third term. He finished with five goals from 23 touches, while Demons midfielder Clayton Oliver had 26 disposals and seven clearances in his 200th AFL game. Melbourne's loss left them in 13th place with a 6-12 record.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
McQualter claims bitter losses won't deter Reid from staying
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has shot down suggestions disappointing defeats such as the 49-point belting at the hands of fellow battlers Richmond will deter star Harley Reid from staying at the Eagles. Reid was at his influential best in the first half with 20 disposals, five inside 50s and six clearances before the Tigers sent Jack Ross to curb the No.1 draftees' influence. The 20-year-old went forward in the last quarter to kick two of their three goals for the term, but his teammates couldn't replicate his impact in the middle as they were blown away in an eight goal to one third term. Reid is out of contract at the end of next year and is yet to accept a range of extensions on the table from West Coast as Victorian clubs still hold out hope of luring him back east. Asked if continued heavy defeats would deter Reid from remaining at the Eagles, McQualter said: 'I think if you see Harley, the way he's invested — he's absolutely in and he's a competitor. 'He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position. 'Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest, but we're the only people that can change that. It's the people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together.' McQualter praised Reid heavily for his game, saying he was 'by far our best player tonight'. Harley Reid of the Eagles celebrates a goal. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos / via Getty Images 'I loved the way he went about it and loved his team-first approach, the way he attacked the ball. He was inspirational to his teammates, I loved the way he went about it,' he said. 'We're aware we've got a 20-year-old carrying our midfield. It's not an easy position for him. We're need to help; we're going to work hard to give him help. 'We did a few things in the last quarter to give him a couple of different looks and he's fighting his way through.' West Coast are now all but destined to claim a third wooden spoon in their history and could finish with only one win for the season for the first time in their history. 'We're seeing a team and a group, they're trying, they're working hard but they're clearly just in such a void of confidence,' McQualter said. Harley Reid of the Eagles looks dejected after the loss. Credit: Daniel Carson / AFL Photos 'You look at the first quarter tonight and it was a pretty dominant quarter of football, but we go into quarter time down on the scoreboard and I think it's hurting deep in the souls of our players. 'It's a tricky position that we're in that we're showing signs, we're getting better and we're playing some good football but we're not getting rewarded for that on the scoreboard which is ultimately what we play for and what we're judged on.'
