PORT Adelaide coach Mark Williams has praised Chad Cornes’ fighting spirit following the vice-captain’s courageous performance against St Kilda on Anzac weekend.
Cornes missed most of the first quarter after jamming his hand into the AAMI Stadium turf, but emerged in the second quarter to play out the game.
The dual All-Australian was sporting a badly swollen hand in the rooms after the game and it was revealed he’d actually suffered a break near the base of his finger.
Cornes will undergo surgery tomorrow and is expected to be in plaster for three weeks.
The injury means Cornes will also miss the Hall of Fame Tribute Match at the MCG on May 10. Cornes was named in the Dream Team side, which is also coached by Williams.
“When you lose a man early on it’s really a big concern for the club in terms of rotations,” Williams said.
“For Chad to be able to put up his hand and mark the ball – unfortunately he couldn’t guide the ball when he was shooting for goal, so he missed a few – but he was really important to our win.
“Most people were unaware of [the extent of] what happened to him, but given the traits of the Peter Badcoe Medal, he would’ve been a worthy winner as well.
“He was certainly under adversity, but he fought on and really led from the front. I’m sure Kane might let him wear the medal from time to time – actually I think Chad’s already got one of his own.
“It’s put the Dream Team in jeopardy, but hopefully he’s a quick healer.”
Kane Cornes, who on Saturday joined Chad on the list of Peter Badcoe VC Medal winners, was also full of admiration for his brother.
“Chad is unbelievable. A couple of years ago he played against Melbourne at the MCG with a punctured lung,” he said.
“No one would’ve questioned the fact that he was going to come back on tonight. The thought of sitting the game out wouldn’t have even gone through his head.
“He’s the heart and soul of our side and it gives us a huge lift when he’s out there. He’s going to be missed, but hopefully only for one or two weeks.”
Williams also singled out skipper Warren Tredrea and the club’s improving back line for special praise.
St Kilda had the advantage of two extra days’ break, but Port Adelaide finished the game full of running to secure their most consistent win of the season.
“We’re thrilled to be able to beat a quality side and to keep their score down pretty well.
“Coming back from Perth with a lot of people thinking the trip would have a negative effect on us and that St Kilda would be able to run over the top of us – we get a lot of confidence out of that,” Williams said.
“St Kilda is a quality side and they have some brilliant players and a fantastic forward line. We had to play for the whole time and it was never going to be a complete domination.”
