Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes has announced he will retire after playing his 300th game against Richmond, next weekend.
The 32-year-old four time best and fairest will join the Metropolitan Fire Service next month after being offered a position yesterday.
Senior coach Ken Hinkley said he was fully supportive of Cornes.
“Kane is a champion of the Port Adelaide Football Club who has given so much over his 15 year career,” Hinkley said.
“He is a premiership player, four-time best and fairest and the club’s AFL games record holder, his record really does speak for itself.
“I’ve insisted that he play his 300th game for the Port Adelaide Football Club as he deserves to reach that outstanding milestone.”
The 2004 Premiership player said he’s loved his time at Port Adelaide but it’s now time to accept his next challenge in life.
“This is a great football club and I’ve had some incredible times at Port Adelaide and can’t thank the club enough for everything it has given me.
“Thank you to my family for their support and thank you to Ken Hinkley for his help over the past two and half years and, in particular, in helping me work through the process of joining the SAMFS.
“I couldn’t have made this decision without his blessing and playing under Ken has been one of the most enjoyable times of my career.
“I’d also like to thank all my past coaches, team mates and mentors, in particular Mark Williams, Phil Walsh and Keith
Thomas for all they’ve taught me over the past two decades or so.
“This is the right time for me to give someone else an opportunity, we’ve got some terrific young players who will now step up and make their mark on the game.”
Port Adelaide chief executive officer, Keith Thomas, praised Cornes for his outstanding contribution to the club since being drafted as pick 20 in 2000.
“Kane has been a tremendous servant of the club and we wish him the very best in his next journey with SAMFS,” Thomas said.
“His longevity in the game and record of achievement really speak for themselves.
“All our staff, members and supporters agree he is one of our club’s greatest AFL players and deserving of the praise that will no doubt come in the lead-up to his final game.
“We wish Kane, Lucy and the boys all the best in their next chapter away from AFL football, but remembering their family here at Port Adelaide is never too far away.”
Kane Cornes record of achievement
2000 National Draft, pick 20 (from Glenelg/Sacred Heart College)
Debut: Round 10, 2001 v Hawthorn, MCG
Brownlow Votes: 62
Port Adelaide AFL cap number: 61
Games (as of 14 May 2015): 298
Goals: 92
AFL Premiership Player (2004)
AFL Pre-Season Premiership Player (2001,2002)
All-Australian (2005,2007)
Hall of Fame Tribute Match (2008)
John Cahill Medal (2007,2008,2010, 2012)
Most Improved Player (2004)
Leading Disposals (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
AFL Life Member (2014)