PORT ADELAIDE star Chad Cornes has undergone multiple operations on his battle weary body since the end of last season, but, metaphorically speaking, he still has a chip on his shoulder.

Cornes was far from satisfied with the Power’s plummet from second in 2007 to 13th this year and his frustration was compounded with a drop in his own fitness and form.

Cornes, 29, was restricted to just 13 games in 2008 compared to 25 matches and All-Australian selection in 2007. And when he took to the field in those 13 games, he was rarely 100 per cent fit.

The passionate utility shattered his finger against St Kilda in round six and also battled nagging calf and shoulder complaints before finally succumbing to a knee injury after the stirring round 16 Showdown victory.

Cornes’ 2008 stats declined in almost every area compared to 2007 and he struggled to exert his usual influence out on the field.

“It [2008] was disappointing as a team, but personally, it was the worst year I’ve ever had. I got pretty down during the year because my form was shocking and injuries got the better of me,” Cornes told portadelaidefc.com.au

“I was disappointed with the way I handled a few things last year, but I’m trying to put it behind me and forget about it. I can’t change it now and [new fitness coach] Cam Falloon has really brought a lot of enthusiasm and freshness to the group. I’m really positive about next year.”

One of Cornes’ regrets of season 2008 was his decision to stand down from the club’s leadership group. Injury and an inability to contribute fully on the field led to Cornes’ decision to step aside, but the then vice-captain has since realised his actions might not have been in the club’s best interests.

Now, Cornes has adopted a total team-first approach and after conversations with coach Mark Williams, assistant coach and former captain Matthew Primus and Port Adelaide legend Russell Ebert among others, he decided to put his hand up for the vacant captaincy position.

Cornes, who has been included in the 2009 leadership group, will be part of the overhauled leadership program, which will now be run by long-serving trainer David Arnfield.

“I think the leadership program we had last year, while it sounds great in principle, just got really negative and when things aren’t going right you can look for things that aren’t there and really focus on the negatives rather than the positives,” Cornes said.

“When you’re losing every week, having to come in and sit through an hour-long leadership group meeting and its all negative- it got really hard. It wasn’t much fun, but David Arnfield and Tony McGuinness have changed that around a bit this year.

“We’re going to try and focus on a lot more positive stuff and what we’re doing right rather than negatives all the time.”

Cornes will also attempt to find more positives in his own performance next season.

The plate and screws have been removed from his finger and he has set his sights on a bigger and better 2009 after undergoing successful knee and shoulder surgery.

“I’m never a big fan of missing games and I hated watching, but with the way I played in some of those games last season- I was pretty embarrassed,” Cornes said.

“It’s really hard to remember the last time I actually played a really good game. I was pretty down on myself…so to have the body feeling right now is a huge bonus.

“I’ve set really high expectations of myself and I am my own biggest critic, so I really want to get out there prove a few people wrong and show myself that I’ve still got it and still have a few good years left in me.”