BIO
A cult figure in the hearts and minds of Port Adelaide supporters, in 2016 Chad Cornes ended a four-year absence from the club spent at the GWS Giants as an assistant coach.
Cornes originally joined Port Adelaide for the 1998 season from Glenelg.
The son of former Glenelg premiership coach and inaugural Adelaide Crows coach Graham Cornes, Chad's initial career at Alberton saw him played as a forward.
But coach Mark Williams then changed him to a defensive post where Cornes would enjoy notable success.
He played in two pre-season premierships and later the 2004 AFL Grand Final victory alongside younger brother Kane.
Cornes was never a best and fairest winner at Port Adelaide (he placed second in 2007), but was a cult figure for his antagonistic approach to football.
He was a double All-Australian and played 239 games for Port Adelaide before his retirement in 2011.
He returned to football as a playing assistant with GWS Giants, retiring again in 2013.
Returning to the club as SANFL coach in 2016, Cornes was the custodian of Port Adelaide's heritage brand - the Magpies.
At the end of the 2017 season, Cornes was elevated to a forward development role with the Power, and took the reins of the defensive lines at the end of the 2021 season.
With a coaching group reshuffle at the end of season 2022, Cornes switched to forwards line coach.
Coaching career
2023 – current Port Adelaide forwards coach
2022 Port Adelaide Football Club defence coach
2018 – 2021 Port Adelaide Football Club forward development coach
2016 – 2017 Port Adelaide SANFL coach
2013 – 2015 GWS Giants defence coach
2012 – 2013 GWS Giants playing assistant coach
Playing career
Clubs: Port Adelaide (1998-2011) 239 games, 175 goals; GWS Giants (2012-2013) 16 games, 4 goals
Debut: Round 6, 1998 vs Adelaide Crows
Brownlow Votes: 50
Achievements:
AFL Premiership player (2004)
AFL pre-season Premiership player (2001, 2002)
All-Australian (2004, 2007)
Port Adelaide best finals player (2005)
Most improved (2002)
AFL Player life member (2006)
