CHAD CORNES has enjoyed a strong connection with the Port Adelaide Football Club since joining the Power as a fresh faced 17-year-old in the 1997 AFL draft.
Quickly becoming a fan favourite with his hard nose style of play – many finding glee in seeing one of the club’s greatest nemeses’ sons turn to the dark side – and would enjoy an illustrious playing career that has now moved into the coaching ranks.
However, with the 2020 AFL season on hiatus until at least March 31, Cornes admits there is some uncertainty over his – and all football department staff’s – security at the club moving forward.
“I am really fortunate that footy has worked out so well for me – I’ve landed on my feet and been pretty lucky in life in general,” Cornes told Adelaide radio on Monday morning.
“Right now I’m not sure what happens going forward.
“I love the club and would love to stay. But understand there is going to have to be huge cuts and the staff won’t be what it has been in the past and the playing list won’t be what it has been in the past.
“We are all hopeful that it is not going to drag out for that much longer and we won’t have to get other jobs, but if it did drag on for months on end I’m sure all of us will have to look for something else to do.”
The season suspension has taken a huge financial toll on the entire football industry and Cornes was open in accepting that change was inevitable at all clubs, including the Power.
“There is no doubt that the coaching group will reduce by about 20 per cent from what we have been told,” he said.
“CD (GM – Football Chris Davies), KT (CEO Keith Thomas) and Kenny (Hinkley) have some big calls to make.
“No doubt there will be coaches that won’t be there next year and who that is we will just have the wait and see.”
However, the two-time All Australian is not letting the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak distract him from the task at hand preparing for when the 2020 season does recommence.
“I am trying to only worry about things that I can control at this stage and not get myself ticked off and start worrying if footy is not there going forward,” Cornes said.
“Right now I hope it is and I’ll keep putting all my energy and focus on that still being there when we return.”
Port Adelaide’s coaches and players have been adapting to the new world of communicating and staying connected remotely using technology as the entire nation tries their best to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic.
“As coaches, and to catch up with the players, we did a lot of meetings over Zoom and Houseparty so we could stay connected,” Cornes said.
“Hopefully then we can go back to training and after that games start.
“The sooner we can get back the better.”
