PORT Adelaide veteran Kane Cornes says he's happy just to be getting a game after being dropped to the SANFL reserves earlier this season.

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Cornes, a triple best and fairest winner and dual All-Australian, was a mainstay in the Power team prior to this year, but like older brother Chad found himself on the outer in the opening month of this season.

The premiership player was omitted following the club's loss to Geelong in round three.

He was given a weekend off at Port Adelaide's discretion in round four, and then had to find form playing as a guest player for the Woodville-West Torrens reserves the next week because Glenelg, his SANFL club, had the bye.

Ultimately, the club's decision to drop its reigning best and fairest winner was based on form, but there were also suggestions he was struggling to cope with his new role in the team, which involves playing at half-back and not in the negating role he has excelled in for most of his 211-game career.

Cornes was recalled after two weeks on the sidelines, but said his place in the team was far from assured.

"I've had some terrific accolades at this club … I don't feel unfairly dealt with or anything like that," Cornes said on Monday.

"My form wasn't good enough, the side was losing and I went back [to the SANFL]. I had some things to work on and I did that, and now I've come back in.

"I want to make every game count, knowing that my position isn't as secure as it has been over the last few years.

"I'm certainly determined to get back in there and assert myself again so I can be around when the success comes, because in the next two or three years hopefully things can really pick up for us."

Critics questioned the club's decision to drop Cornes ahead of several other out-of-form players, prompting speculation he should seek a trade to rival club or join former coach Mark Williams at Greater Western Sydney.

The 28-year-old signed a new three-year deal with the Power last year and said he had no intention of leaving.

"It's been a difficult year, but I've had a really good run throughout my career, so I can't complain much at all," he said.

"I can understand why that would be brought up because of my relationship with Mark Williams, but it [interstate] is probably the last place I would go to play my footy. I've got three young kids and my eldest son starts school next year, so I'm really settled in Adelaide.

"I'd prefer to finish my career here, and that's why I was so rapt when I signed the contract last year [because I knew] it would take me into my 30s and allow me to finish at this club that I've had so many great times at."

Port Adelaide slumped to a third straight loss against Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium on Friday night, but Cornes said there were "positive signs" in the way his team approached the game compared with previous weeks.

The club will attempt to secure a second win against the Sydney Swans at the SGC on Saturday night.

The Power haven't beaten the Swans since round two, 2006.

Midfielder Matt Thomas, who has taken over some of the tagging duties from Cornes, has recovered from a back complaint and should be recalled this week.
 
Daniel Motlop (shoulder), Brett Ebert (hip) and Cam O'Shea (AC joint) are also likely to be available to take on the Swans.

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill