KANE CORNES has won his fourth John Cahill Medal having taken out the 2012 honour at the club’s best and fairest presentation on Friday evening.
On his acceptance he called on the Port Adelaide playing group to realise its potential through hard work during the upcoming pre-season.
Cornes led home newly named Fos Williams Medallist Brad Ebert and emerging midfielder Matt Broadbent in the count as tied runners-up.
On winning his award, Cornes draws level with premiership captain Warren Tredrea as having the most John Cahill Medals with four apiece.
Cornes previously won the John Cahill Medal in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
[ Related: Ebert wins Fos Williams Medal ]
The 2004 premiership player came home with a wet sail, with the count having been led by Broadbent and defender Troy Chaplin earlier in the night.
Caretaker coach Garry Hocking praised the efforts of Cornes having worked hard to come back from a 2011 season where he struggled to find permanency in the senior side.
“He’s achieved team success and has achieved a high level of individual success,” said Hocking.
“In the pre-season for 2012 you could see a really tough mindset - a player who really dug in.
“He knew he had to fight for his spot [but] he has a fantastic work ethic.
“He’s been able to pass on his experience and we continue to tell Kane that he needs to leave a legacy and he continues to do that.”
[ Related: Jonas wins Coaches Award ]
Cornes thanked his wife Lucy and his children for supporting him during the season, in addition to brother Chad and parents Pam and Graham.
He also thanked chief executive officer Keith Thomas for his support during the late stages of 2011.
“It’s a huge surprise, the guys behind me [Ebert and Broadbent] … had outstanding years,” said Cornes.
“Last year was pretty difficult and I sat down with Keith Thomas this time last year …he threw his whole support behind me and instilled some confidence in me that I had the whole club’s support.”
A veteran of the club, Cornes left his final words for his teammates, saying hard work is what would get the club back to playing finals.
“It’s hard to word it, but you guys [the playing group] have got a lot more talent that what I’ve got,” said Cornes.
“A lot of people come up here and say ‘We'll turn the club around’, and we’ll certainly do that.
“But it’s not easy.
“It takes hard work and the sooner we realise that the better.
“I can’t wait until next season.”
[ Related: Wingard wins Wanganeen Medal ]
The merit comes on the back of a fantastic, consistent season for Cornes, where he was lauded for excellent tagging efforts on AFL superstars Brent Harvey and Gary Ablett Jnr midway through the season.
Garry Hocking also praised the efforts of the two runners-up, Ebert and Broadbent.
Ebert said of the club’s future that players like himself and good friend Broadbent needed to step up to carry the club forward.
“If you look across the list there’s a lot of guys about our age,” said Ebert.
“I think it's time that we stepped up.
“The older guys will continue playing their role and the younger guys will do the same as us and continue to step up.”
Broadbent was understated when asked to describe his own season.
“I think it was a mix of a few things - a bit of experience, a bit of confidence but also to the coaches and the players I thank you a lot you’ve really helped me with my football and I’m looking forward to good times ahead,” said Broadbent.
Other award winners for the night included Brad Ebert (Fos Williams Medal), Tom Jonas (Coaches Award), Chad Wingard (Gavin Wanganeen Medal) and trainer Adrian Votino (Volunteers Award).
The merit comes on the back of a fantastic, consistent season for Cornes, where he was lauded for excellent tagging efforts on AFL superstars Brent Harvey and Gary Ablett Jnr midway through the season.
Garry Hocking also praised the efforts of the two runners-up, Ebert and Broadbent.
Ebert said of the club’s future that players like himself and good friend Broadbent needed to step up to carry the club forward.
“If you look across the list there’s a lot of guys about our age,” said Ebert.
“I think it's time that we stepped up.
“The older guys will continue playing their role and the younger guys will do the same as us and continue to step up.”
Broadbent was understated when asked to describe his own season.
“I think it was a mix of a few things - a bit of experience, a bit of confidence but also to the coaches and the players I thank you a lot you’ve really helped me with my football and I’m looking forward to good times ahead,” said Broadbent.
Other award winners for the night included Brad Ebert (Fos Williams Medal), Tom Jonas (Coaches Award), Chad Wingard (Gavin Wanganeen Medal) and trainer Adrian Votino (Volunteers Award).
