TRAVIS Boak is close to making a long-term commitment with Port Adelaide, resisting any temptation to explore free agency at the end of next season.
Boak, who grew up in Torquay just 20km south of Geelong, spoke with several Victorian clubs including the Cats when he last came out of contract in 2012.
But AFL.com.au understands the Port captain, 25, is in advanced contract discussions with the Power and is likely to re-sign before Christmas.
Boak's existing contract does not expire until the end of 2014, when he was set to become a restricted free agent.
Although the duration of Boak's new contract remains unclear, it is understood it will tie him to the Power for at least three more years, or to the end of 2017 when he will be 29.
When Boak last re-signed with the Power, in September 2012, the club was in disarray.
Coach Matthew Primus had been sacked a month earlier after leading the club to just eight wins in his two full seasons at the helm.
It was another month before long-time assistant coach Ken Hinkley was announced as Primus' replacement.
But since then nearly everything Boak and Port have touched has turned to football gold.
In late January this year, the midfielder was announced as the Power's new skipper.
Boak then led the young Power team to a surprise fifth-place finish after a spirited 2013 finals campaign that included an away elimination final victory over Collingwood and a fighting 16-point semi-final loss to Geelong.
Star midfielder and captain Travis Boak could soon re-sign with the Power. Picture: AFL Media
Boak finished runner-up to Chad Wingard in Port's best and fairest award, averaging 25.3 possessions in 23 games, and made his first All Australian team.
The Power selected Boak with pick No. 5 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.
Since debuting in round 12, 2007, Boak has played 131 games and shared Port's 2011 best and fairest award with Jackson Trengove.
