Port Adelaide’s playing group remains positive about the club’s chances of getting back on the winners’ list this week, and assistant coach Chad Cornes says the group has real clarity on where improvement is needed.

Players returned to Alberton on Tuesday following Sunday evening’s loss to St Kilda, energised and firmly focussed on improving the work around the stoppages which let them down at the weekend.

Speaking to Adelaide media after the team review, Cornes said while the midfield group took ownership for not being at the level they needed to be at, there were plenty of positives more broadly.

He also discussed how Connor Rozee is dealing with being tagged, Ollie Lord’s first AFL game for 2025 and who might replace the suspended Darcy Byrne-Jones against Hawthorn this Sunday.

Chad Cornes on the team review of Sunday’s loss to St Kilda:

“It was one of those games where we're really clear on what went wrong and what we can go to work on this week, mainly around stoppage and especially the start of the game. It was a really big focus for us last week, the full ground stoppage setups. We saw some positives in it, but obviously there's a lot more we need to get right. To give a team an almost six goal head start really put us on the back foot from the start. But it was really clear on how we can improve, which gives us some good signs going forward.”

Chad Cornes on the side being beaten in the clearances against the Saints:

“The way we were setting up around the stoppage initially didn't balance their numbers well enough. We were dominating the hit-outs for most of the game but the connection with the hit, you know, to the to the guys on the ground, wasn't quite where it needed to be. So again, the midfield group owned that, which is a great start. And we'll go to work on it even harder this week.

“It wasn't in any way a brutal (review). It was just looking at moments where we could have been better. There were some great numbers in terms of just going by stats. If you're looking at the stats after the game, traditionally, we would win that game. The only number that was really against us was the stoppage score against so again, like I said, the mids have owned it. (Midfield Coach) Carry (Josh Carr) had a good chat about the areas where we can improve, and we're really positive we can get that right.”

Chad Cornes on how Connor Rozee has been dealing with being tagged:

“It's not easy being tagged to the way he is. It's a sign obviously, that he's a great player. He had a moment in the second quarter where he really fought back well into the game. He had 10 possessions and four clearances in that second quarter so he learned a lot from that. I thought the boys supported him better this week than we did the previous week, but it's tough when you've got a great opposition player on you just trying to stop you. It's just a part of his game that he can grow into, and I'm sure he will. Buttsy (Zak Butters) had the same issue last year around this time of year. He fought through that. I’m really confident Connor will be the same.

“The great thing about Connor, if needed, he can play behind the ball, he can go forward. Obviously, his best stuff is inside, and I'm sure he can find ways to beat the inside tag, but we could also use him at other ends of the ground, if it comes to that so there's great flexibility in his game.”

Chad Cornes on Connor Rozee’s captaincy:

“From what we see here, he's great. He owns up to his performance. He's really honest in moments he could have been better. He's the first to speak up in meetings and put his hand up to tell the rest of the group that, yep, I could be better here. I need to be better here. So that puts the onus on the other guys to also be better and follow his lead. But there's no signs that he's down on himself or the team. He's more up and about than ever, which is great.”

Chad Cornes on the feeling amongst the playing group:

“Training last week was great. It was a competitive week for training after the result the previous week. Energy was great. Leading into this game, all signs were it was going to be a great, aggressive start. It didn't quite go to plan, but there is no sign here, even today, and credit to the boys, they came in wanting to learn, wanting to know where we went wrong. And it wasn't everyone down, like heads down. They were all into it, asking questions. We had breakfast together before the team meeting, and everyone was up and about. That's easy to say, but there are no signs that anyone's down on this and we’re really, really positive that we can get this season back on track.”

Chad Cornes on Ollie Lord’s first AFL game of 2025:

“I thought Ollie was very good. It was a great learning game for him against a good opponent on Willkie for most of the time, I thought he was really polished with the ball, some good aerial contests. You know, the thing we love about Ollie is that he's very competitive. He (doesn’t) often, get out marked. He gets the ball to ground, but I thought his finish and some of his delivery inside 50 was really good, so I couldn't have asked for more from him first up.”

Chad Cornes on the build-up for facing Hawthorn on Sunday:

“It'll be a great week. Gather Round, from what I've seen, has been a really enjoyable week. No doubt the excitement and anticipation will grow for that last game, but Hawthorn are just another team we need to beat. There's a rivalry growing there, which we love, their four and zip, they're playing some great footy so it's probably a team that's provides another great challenge for us, but no different to if we were playing any other team. To be honest, it's just going to be an exciting build up, no matter what.”

Chad Cornes on Darcy Byrne-Jones’ suspension:

“He'll be a big loss. I love the way Darce plays and what he provides us in that forward line. A lot of it goes unnoticed. To be fair, I don't think he gets anywhere near the credit he deserves for what he provides our team. So that's a loss, but we've got some guys - you know, (Travis) Boaky will be available, Tommy Cochrane is playing some good footy, so there's options there to replace Darcy for sure.”

Chad Cornes on Tom Cochrane’s showing in the SANFL last Saturday after being omitted from the AFL side:

“He did everything he could. His finish against Sturt was great.  There were a lot of real highlights and positives from that game. So again, he has surprised everyone with what he's brought so far this year so he'll be up for consideration, for sure.

“(He was omitted last week) through more team balance. You know, a couple of guys coming back into the team, and he's a really young kid, still learning his craft, so we thought the best thing was for him to get a full game and to perform, and he did that so he's done everything he can.”