THE RACE for the Port Adelaide captaincy has taken an unexpected turn with star Chad Cornes revealing he’ll put his hand up for the job when the playing group meets to cast its votes over the summer.

Cornes, 29, is the popular choice among fans to replace club stalwart Warren Tredrea as skipper, despite his past reluctance to assume the responsibilities that come with the role.

Now after more time for contemplation, the dual All-Australian has had a change of heart and says he’s ready and willing to lead the club in 2009 – if he’s given the thumbs up by his teammates.

“I think I did an interview with The Advertiser last year where I said the captaincy was probably not for me, but the more I think about it, the more I’m open to it,” Cornes told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“I’ve spoken to a few people about it and they’ve all told me to put my hand up for it. You don’t get too many chances to be captain of an AFL club and, as I get older now and more mature, it’s something that I’d be pretty keen to do.

“In saying that, Dom Cassisi, Kane [Cornes] and Shaun Burgoyne are all great leaders. I’m not sure what the club is thinking in terms of who they want to do it, but any of those guys would be great.

“And if I’m in that mix as well, I’ll definitely put my hand up.”

Cornes, renowned for his game-breaking ability and impassioned on-field displays, is often referred to as Port Adelaide’s 'spiritual leader'.

But he concedes his off-field contribution, including participation in meetings, hasn’t always been a strong point.

“People only really see what you do on-field and, obviously, I’m really into it on the field. I like getting the boys pumped up and that kind of thing. But I haven’t been the biggest fan of meetings, speaking up and things like that, whereas Kane and Dom really like that stuff,” Cornes said.

“And that’s where Tredders (Tredrea) was so good, mixing with sponsors and doing all the off-field stuff.

“But as you get older you realise the off-field commitments are all just part of it and that you’d accept that responsibility as well, if the chance to captain your club came around. So, I’m definitely open to it.”

Cornes, like his younger brother and fellow captaincy aspirant Kane, is the first to admit he wasn’t born a leader.

Instead, he believes that playing alongside great captains like former ruckman Matthew Primus helped set the example not only for him but for the rest of the Port Adelaide team.

“I never really [desired] to be captain growing up. It was never really my style. I don’t know where I’ve developed the on-field [leadership] stuff; it has kind of come out of nowhere,” Cornes said with a laugh.

“It’s probably come from learning off guys like Matty Primus and trying to follow what he did with his on-field passion and leadership.

“I never thought I’d be in the position to be a captain and it’s something I never even thought about until a few years ago.”