Cornes, 27, endured a tough pre-season after being dumped from the Power’s leadership group and having his place in the side questioned by sections of the local media.
The premier tagger responded to his critics in his 150th consective AFL game finishing with a game-high 39 possessions, seven clearances and five tackles.
“I thought Kane was pretty outstanding,” Williams said after the game.
“I thought his possessions were great and he hit that last target under pressure to get Brett Ebert. All credit to him. He’s played 150 games in a row and there are probably only a handful of players that ever do that in their career."
Port Adelaide set up the 14-point win with its fierce tackling and relentless forward-line pressure.
The Power laid 19 more tackles than the Roos (86-67), despite dominating possession for large periods of the game.
Williams credited new recruit, former North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley, with his side’s greater defensive emphasis.
“If you watched the first three NAB Cup games, our pressure was like that and we certainly like to model ourselves on that sort of style. It’s a game where you have to really work hard and it’s pretty taxing,” he said.
“Tackling and pressure is certainly a technique thing and Dean’s had a lot to do with helping us there, but it’s also a mindset and we delivered today. We’ll back up, look at it again and look forward to delivering it again next week.”
Laidley joined the Power as an assistant coach at the end of last year, after leaving North Melbourne mid-season.
He said he was enjoying his new role as Williams’ right-hand man, but admitted it was difficult coming up against his old side in the very first game.
“I found it tough…21 of the 22 players I’d like to think I’ve had a significant effect on their football careers and to come up, not against them, but to be in the opposition box watching them was difficult,” Laidley said.
