Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries celebrates a goal. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia
PORT Adelaide captain Travis Boak has described Angus Monfries as iron-willed and seemingly unaffected by the latest developments in the Essendon supplements saga.
Monfries, who was traded to Port after the 2012 season at the centre of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation, is widely believed to be one of 34 players who have been served with a "show cause'' notice by the agency.
He has declined to comment on the matter, as have all of the Essendon players.
But Boak could not speak more highly about Monfries' demeanor as ASADA has tempted players with a six-month ban and the Bombers are taking the matter to the federal court.
"Gus has been great,'' Boak said.
"We haven't spoken it at all. He's just worried about footy at the moment; he's worried about the Port Adelaide footy club and that's a credit to him.
"He just wants to go out there and help us perform and put everything to the back of his mind."
For all of that, Boak conceded it was a difficult situation to negotiate.
If Monfries did seek support, Boak said his club and teammates would be there for him.
The Swans have issued ladder leaders Port Adelaide with their second loss of the season, beating them 98-94 at the SCG.
"Certainly it's a tough situation and we don't want him to be in that situation at all but all we can do is lend a hand of support and if he needs us we're there for him,'' Boak said.
"But as I said, Gus is pretty strong-minded and he just wants to go out there and play footy.''
At Port prepared for an Adelaide Oval session yesterday morning, the club was smarting after last week's loss against Sydney and would use it as fuel against the Western Bulldogs.
But Boak said the Power held the Bulldogs in high regard and had been impressed with their upset of Collingwood last weekend.
"They're a quality side and they've had it over us for last few years,'' Boak said.
"We're expecting a very big challenge.
"They're right up there with the contested ball and the way they play their footy in tight.''
Boak's thoughts come after it was highlighted that Hawthorn great and commentator Jason Dunstall saying the Power had the ingredients to win the flag this year.
It had heartened the players, but they realised that dropping a game puts them in a more precarious position in the race for a top-two spot.
"It's great to hear those things but we were pretty disappointed just in the result and we can't control what's said out there,'' Boak said.
"But it's great to hear some positive club coming for the club.
"But we've got to make sure we continue winning because it's becoming really tight at the top.
"We need to make sure we finish the season strongly.
"This week is huge for us now.''
Boak: Gus focused on footy, not drugs saga
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Boak: Gus focused on footy, not drugs saga
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