Port Adelaide have fended off the approaches of numerous rival AFL suitors to retain talented young midfielder Travis Boak.

Having witnessed the departure of long-time coach Mark Williams, one of Port's first orders of business was to ensure Victorian-born Boak did not follow him out the exit door at Alberton, with several Melbourne clubs not shy about chasing his signature.

Ultimately Boak decided to stay at the Power, under a deal believed to be for a further two years with a significantly improved bottom line.

Boak, 21, has played 63 games for Port since being taken at pick No.5 in the 2006 AFL draft.

"I'm very happy to remain at Port Adelaide and with such a large group of young players continuing to develop, I'm very confident about the future direction of our club," Boak said.

"The club has been fantastic with helping me and my family with everything and I want to thank them for their ongoing support and hope I can repay the favour by playing some good footy for this great club."

Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said Boak's decision to stay said plenty about the club's player welfare programs and support structures, which alleviated the understandable temptation to return home to Melbourne.

"Without doubt Travis is both a quality player and person and his decision to commit to Port Adelaide for the long-term is a big vote of confidence in our club," Rohde said.

"Our entire coaching staff, along with our player welfare manager Stuart Cochrane, have provided Travis with all the necessary support he's required since moving over from Geelong at the end of 2006.

"Travis has made an educated and well thought out decision on the time lines that he and his manager set at the start of the year and we're now looking forward to him continuing his development as a key player through our midfield."

The decision is a plus for new Port caretaker coach Matthew Primus as he seeks to create a positive mood for the future at a club that seems destined to miss the finals for a third consecutive year.

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