Tredrea was silent, but nodded his head in agreement.
Cornes said he owed much to the club's premiership captain and said that as a first-year player, he had been in awe of Tredrea's professionalism.
He recalled asking the star forward 10 questions a day on how to improve as a player, and how Tredrea prepared himself for game day.
But as annoying he might have been as a youngster, Cornes' attitude was the foundation for what has been an incredible AFL career, yielding a premiership, four best and fairest awards, All Australian selection and, after Sunday, the most games played in Port's AFL history.
The 30-year-old's message to his younger teammates was simple.
"Some guys don't get the best out of their ability, so the message to the young group and the guys here that have got a lot more talent than I was given, is just to get the most out of yourself," Cornes said.
"When I retire, whenever that is, I think I'll be able to sit back and sleep pretty well at night knowing I got the best out of my ability.
"Whatever that is, when you finish, to be able to sit back and think, 'Yep, I did as best as I could and I got the best out of what I was given', I think that's a good place to finish."
Not that Cornes has given any serious thought to retirement.
He's averaged a career-best 28 possessions in 2013 and is also laying more tackles than ever before at five a game.
He is out of contract at the end of the season but insisted he wanted to play on next year.
"I've still got a little bit to offer and my body's still really good and I've been able to perform, so I feel like I can contribute next year," he said.
"How long after that who knows, but I just want to take it year by year."
The Power face Greater Western Sydney this weekend, the fixture that claimed the scalp of then-Power coach Matthew Primus in 2012.
The Giants have improved significantly since their 34-point win over the Power last season and led Geelong by 32 points at one stage last weekend.
Tredrea said that while breaking the club's games record was a big deal for Cornes, it would mean little if the side lost.
"A games tally is great, it's a record, but as Kane would tell you the win is more important because this time last year ... I saw them lose this game and it did hurt the footy club, but they've got a chance for redemption this week," he said.
"You want to win milestone games otherwise they don't mean much."
Tredrea said that while Port wouldn't make the finals this year, it must continue to fight to avoid another lost season.
"[They need to] bring the same consistent effort and fighting spirit that we've seen," he said.
"No doubt they had an easier draw at the start of the year, realistically that's what it was, but you need to keep winning games you're expected to win and in games you're not, you put in a fair-dinkum fight.
"The challenge for group is to get back up and continue to have those efforts.
"Do I think they'll play finals? It's going to be tough, I don't think they will ... that's not to say you don't go for it."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry
