PORT Adelaide veteran Kane Cornes played under and alongside two of the club's greatest modern leaders in Gavin Wanganeen and Warren Tredrea, but he expects skipper Travis Boak to eclipse both.
Wanganeen's reign as Port skipper ended the year Cornes arrived at Alberton in 2001 but Wanganeen continued his spectacular career until 2006, winning the John Cahill Medal as best and fairest in 2003 and playing in the club's 2004 premiership.
The Brownlow medallist also retired a five-time All Australian.
Tredrea was Cornes' captain in 2004 and from 2006-2008, was named All Australian on four occasions and, like Cornes, won a record four John Cahill Medals.
But with Boak on the verge of re-signing after a 2013 season that saw him rise to new heights, Cornes told AFL.com.au the 25-year-old could finish his career as the best leader he'd seen.
"I've played under some pretty outstanding leaders [but] I think at the end of his career he'll be number one," Cornes said.
"In terms of his leadership abilities, his want to be the best, how competitive he is and how much he wants success, I just couldn't be more impressed with what he's been able to do.
"Boaky's had as big an influence on the whole club as anyone with what he's been able to do on and off the field.
"I'm looking forward to one day retiring and sitting back and watching him continue on what's going to be a pretty great career."
Out of contract at the end of next season, there has been speculation in the media that Boak could soon sign a new contract.
Travis Boak and Dom Cassisi chair Kane Cornes off after his 250th game this year. Picture: AFL Media.
While the duration of the new deal remains unclear, it is expected to be at least three years.
Regardless of the length of the new contract, Cornes said Boak re-committing to the club was a "formality".
"He's really settled now, captain of the club and he's never played better footy," he said.
"I don't think it would be a surprise to anyone at the club, it's probably just a formality really.
"Considering traditionally he's held off on his contract, it would be a great thing … if he could lead the way and sign early."
Cornes landed in Adelaide on Wednesday after the club's pre-season trip to Dubai; an experience he rated as the most intensive training camp of his career.
The 30-year-old is entering his 14th season in the AFL and will do so as the Power's games record holder (268).
Port won seven games by three goals or less in 2013 and although gruelling, Cornes said the trip to Dubai would help give his teammates the strength to survive close encounters next year.
"I haven't seen any Port Adelaide side I've been involved in do as much training in such a short amount of time … it was full on," he said.
"Towards day six or seven it starts to become a bit more of a mental challenge – you're away from home and the repetitiveness of the training we were doing wears you down.
"But while they were tired and sore at times, the boys really pulled together.
"To be able to show mental strength to fight back in a game of footy – the pre-season has a big affect on that."
