Cornes played the opening 10 games of the season in defence for the Power, but was forced to play in attack against Hawthorn last weekend because of injuries to forwards Warren Tredrea and Robbie Gray.
The dual All-Australian managed just four disposals - his lowest return in a game in more than a decade—but Hartlett said he was confident the 30-year-old would respond against the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.
“He didn’t have his best game and he’d be the first to admit that," Hartlett said on Wednesday.
"He’s been a fantastic player over many years and I’m sure he’d bounce back from that.”
Motlop finished the game with 11 possessions and four marks for a return of 0.4.
It was the first time since round four 2009 the unpredictable forward has been held goalless and Hartlett said he didn’t expect the trend to continue.
“Daniel has been missing for the last few weeks (through injury and club suspension) and it was his first game back. He still had four or five shots on goal,” Hartlett said.
“One week he might kick four points, but the next week he’ll kick four goals. I don’t think he played badly at all on the weekend and sooner or later he’s going to turn it around and kick a bag.”
Port Adelaide could be forced to make another change to its depleted forward line for the game against the Swans, with three-gamer Daniel Stewart in doubt with an ankle injury.
Midfielder Steven Salopek missed training on Wednesday because of illness, but is not considered in any doubt for the all-important clash.
Hartlett returned from a four-week layoff with a quad strain against the Hawks.
The Power’s highest-ever draft pick has been plagued by soft tissue injuries since arriving at Alberton at the end of 2008, but that didn’t stop the club from re-signing the skilful onballer.
Hartlett has resorted to several unconventional methods, like acupuncture and yoga, in a bid to get his body right and said he was confident the hard work was starting to pay off.
He was one of three Power players to agree to contract extensions this week, with Gray and defender Paul Stewart also signing on.
Stewart has played every game for Port Adelaide this season and said he was pleased to have the contract talk out of the way.
“The negotiations probably only took two or three weeks and it was something I was looking forward to doing at the start of the year,” Stewart said.
“I couldn’t be happier staying here at Port Adelaide. I feel at ease (in the side this season), but I’m trying not to get comfortable. I want to improve each week, consolidate my position and repay the faith the coaches have showed in me.”
