Cornes started last season with the aim of giving his ailing body a break from the midfield, returning to defence, where he won All-Australian selection in 2004.
The utility played the opening 14 games but struggled for form and was dropped for the first time in 11 years when new coach Matthew Primus took the reins in July.
He played two games for Glenelg in the SANFL before a broken finger ended his season.
Motlop, who had an injury interrupted pre-season, also struggled to recapture his game-breaking best form and a series of off-field issues did not help.
Clubs often take a cautious approach with their veterans during the pre-season competition, but Brogan said Cornes and Motlop were desperate to show they still belonged at AFL level.
"Chad and Motts are pretty keen to play," Brogan said.
"They’re both training really well and they need to get back in our 22, so they’d be looking to play as many NAB Cup games and as much footy as they can over next month."
Port Adelaide will be able to name a squad of 29 to play against Adelaide and Melbourne in the club’s NAB Cup opener on February 11.
Surjan (knee), Travis Boak (appendix), Hamish Hartlett (hamstring), David Rodan (knee), Jason Davenport (shoulder), Andrew Moore (groin) and Jay Schulz (hamstring) are all likely to miss the AAMI Stadium triple-header, but Brogan said the remaining first-choice players were expected to play.
"I think the fitness staff are pretty keen to get as many blokes up and running for that first game as possible. Most of us will play in the first or second game and then rotate," Brogan said.
"I’ll probably have a run to get a taste of it and then depending on what happens, probably miss the next one [pre-season game], have a good hard training block and then play the last two games."
