IT hasn’t been done since 1966, but on Sunday a Port Adelaide captain will run-out without the number 1 on his back – and it’s all for a good reason.

Travis Boak will take to Adelaide Oval against Greater Western Sydney wearing the number 10 jumper – a throwback to the number he wore during his first six years at Alberton.

It’s part of a special event for a special boy who has been going through a difficult time.

Henry Mickan, is an 8-year-old, third generation Port Adelaide fan who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when he was just 7.

When he was diagnosed, his only request was to become a PAFC member.

He has since responded well to treatment and is now getting back into school and footy.

With the support of the game day charity partner the Childhood Cancer Association, Boak - an ambassador for the Association - has kindly offered to hand over the captaincy to Henry for a day and the youngster will run-out as club captain on Sunday, wearing a number 1 jumper presented to him by Boak in front of the playing group.

“The tradition that the club has had for a long time is for the captain to wear the number 1 guernsey - it’s a great tradition and certainly an honour to wear that number 1 guernsey, and I have huge respect for it and have loved every minute of it,” Boak told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“But for this weekend it’s a pretty special cause and it’s all about Henry and his family and making sure we make it a special day for him.

“Part of that is for him to wear number 1 and for me to wear number 10 and I’m so proud of the club that we’ve been able to do this and I think the broader Port Adelaide community will understand that.

“We are so passionate about making our community proud and this is just one part of that.”

Boak, who as a teenager lost his father to cancer, knows more than most, the impact it can have on those who are fighting it and their families.

He said meeting Henry and hearing his story put a lot of things into perspective for him and his teammates.

“Henry is one of many in South Australia, Australia and worldwide that is a kid battling a disease that is horrible and kills so many people and all we do is go out and kick a ball,” Boak said.

“After last weekend’s result we were so angry and frustrated and disappointed at but then you think there’s kids going through this and battling through this, it just puts a lot into perspective.

“We’ve got to get over it pretty quickly and play another game but he’s still battling that every day so where we can make it a special day for him and his family and put a smile on his face it could help make a big difference.

“If we can hand over the number 1 guernsey to Henry to make his day, for me it’s going to be a special moment.”

The last Port Adelaide captain to not wear the number 1 was Geof Motley in 1966.

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