Below is a transcript of those thanked by Cornes in his retirement announcement press conference.

WHEN you’ve played footy for 15 years there’s a lot of people who help you get to where you are, and where I am today.

Graham and Pam Cornes

Mum and Dad. Footy’s been such a massive part of their lives, just as much as it has mine. I know they’re both probably wondering what they’re going to do now with their weekends. Mum’s here now – an amazing grandmother to my boys – has helped me so much get to where I am now. We speak after every game … thanks to her for her support, and Dad as well. They’re probably the first two people I ring after any games. I’m going to miss doing that.

Chad

Chad. We played together for 11 years and probably took it for granted to be honest, a little bit, at the time. Chad’s such a well-respected member of the Port Adelaide family, and to play with him for such a long time and play in a premiership together is something that I’ll treasure forever.

Lucy, Eddy, Raph and Sonny

Lucy and the boys. Lucy’s been there with me every step of the way. She asked me out when I was 15 and she’s still sitting here today, so the support you’ve given me is unbelievable. You’re such a positive person, shared all the good times and helped me get through the bad times. As well as my three boys, I’m just so happy that they’ve been able to watch their Dad play footy. They love all the Port players, I think all the Port players love them. So that’s been great.

Teammates

To all my teammates, past and present: it’s what footy’s all about, running out there, trying to get the win for your footy club, with your teammates. The thing I think I’ll miss most is the hour after the game in the change rooms with your teammates. Footy moves pretty quickly and by Monday you’re onto next week’s opposition. But for that one hour after the game where you sing the song, everyone’s sore and tired and exhausted but you enjoy the win together, is something that I’ll miss the most.

Medical and high performance

The Medical department, especially Dr Mark Fisher and Dr Peter Barnes – two amazing people and friends of mine that have helped me throughout the journey – physios, fitness department, Burgo and his team, I told the boys I’m actually coming back for the 3km time trial in November. I’m ready to retire from footy but not quite ready to hand over the ‘3k’ title just yet. So I’ll be back running that with the boys, so look out for that.

Volunteers

All the old boys, the Dad’s Army, the volunteers that we have, I think Port Adelaide is a special club in that we have that family connection and connection to our heritage. It’s something that I love about our club, and it’s something that I’ll miss.

Coaches

All my coaches. We have eight or nine assistant coaches now, probably different to when I started. Everyone that’s helped me along the way in that department, each coach has taught me something, and each coach I’m so grateful for. In particular Phil Walsh, Mark Williams and Ken Hinkley are three that have had biggest influence on my career. The way that Ken has helped me through this progression into the next stage of my life is something you would only know unless you were behind the scenes. I think a lot of people and a lot of media are quick to judge situations that they see from the outside, but if you were on the internal walls you see how things really operate and, Kenny, I owe you so much for the last 2.5 years, but also for helping me transition out of football.

Keith Thomas

Keith Thomas is not here today, but Keith’s one of the best people I’ve ever met in football. I wouldn’t be sitting here today in 2015 and retiring, hopefully after 300 games, if it wasn’t for KT. Just an amazing mentor of mine and an amazing mentor of mine.

Alan Stewart

Alan Stewart was the recruiting manager at the time who picked me back in the year 2000. Stewy’s a great man and saw something in me that a lot of other people didn’t see. So I’m forever grateful to Alan Stewart.

Justin Reid

Justin Reid was my manager over a long period of time. Reidy isn’t a manager anymore, but thank you for our support.

Conclusion

And just current teammates, I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone, I’m sure I have, but over the next couple of days I’ll get around my teammates individually.

Thank you.