Playing for Port Adelaide, South Australians would say Travis Boak doesn't get recognised as a true great given the larger emphasis on Victoria and the fishbowl state it is.
Recently surpassing Gary Ablett Jnr's 357 matches to step into 15th on the AFL's all-time games record, Boak's longevity and resume speaks for itself.
Taken with Pick 5 in the 2006 National Draft, the Power champ is one of three players remaining from the crop (Todd Goldstein and Tom Hawkins) and doesn't look like slowing down.
Having won two John Cahill Medals, awarded three All-Australian blazers and being the club's current games holder, there's still more that drives Boak day-to-day.
"I'm really enjoying my role in the team," Boak said.
"That could be forward, that could be wing, that could be on the ball.
"But I think for me, it's just to continue to help where the team needs and certainly help the young boys.
"It's more just about how I can continue to get better. How I can be a good teammate. How I can keep having fun.
"My body feels great. Still got motivation to go out there and play."
Boak has been lauded as the ultimate professional in the competition.
That includes heading overseas during the off-season to maintain the high levels of fitness and strength required during the year, which has paid off in spades as the 36-year-old inches toward another milestone.
Port Adelaide's Travis Boak will etch his name into history this weekend, as the first Power player to reach 350 games.
The 35-year-old dedicating the match to his parents, including the father he lost, before he could see the champion his son would become. @WillCrouch9 #9News pic.twitter.com/ZXKqvYP3fo
— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) March 20, 2024
After recently hitting 350 games, the 35-year-old would need to continue playing until 2026 if he has any chance of reaching the elusive 400-match milestone, which has seen only five players (soon to be six with Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury) hit the mark.
However, with the mantra of "enjoying each week" as it comes, Boak's sole focus is on the team and what he can do to assist the club.
"Probably not at this stage," Boak said when eyeing off 400 AFL games.
"Another 50 games is a long way away and a lot more preseasons. So there's a lot of challenges to get there.
"But for me right now, it's what I can do this season. Anytime could be my last so I'm just taking each week as it comes. I'm trying to enjoy each week.
"It doesn't feel like I've played that (358) many games when you talk about all those greats, who have played a lot of footy and wouldn't consider myself a part of the conversation."
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Currently in his 18th season at the elite level, it'd be understandable if the urge and drive to compete with the nation's best each week tapered away.
But Boak sees it differently.
The former Power skipper loves "competing" and the football club culture, which has been a big driving point to continue his career for as long as it has.
"Competing. I just love competing and by that, I mean, our footy club, going out there to win games to try put smiles on the faces of our supporters. To try beat the opposition and see how far we can get," Boak said.
"But also just running out there with your teammates. It is honestly the best feeling in the world.
"Coming off the ground, with your best mates after a win. It is hard to replicate (that feeling)."
Port Adelaide has made a positive start to 2024, sitting fourth on the ladder with eight wins from 12 starts.
Despite some minor "speed bumps" along the way, Ken Hinkley's men have a chance to refresh as they enter the bye, setting themselves up for a significant back half of the year.
They return from the week off to face the Giants in Round 14.
