KANE Cornes will pull the boots on for a 14th season next year after signing a one-year contract extension.
The four-time club best and fairest winner and reigning John Cahill medallist has played in all but one game this season, missing only last weekend’s win against St Kilda due to suspension.
Cornes broke Warren Tredrea’s Port Adelaide AFL games record of 255 earlier this season in the round 12 clash against GWS.
His game tally now sits at 260 after making his debut against Hawthorn at the MCG in round 10, 2001.
Cornes, 30, said on Tuesday he'd never doubted his desire to play on.
"I've always looked at the challenge in front of me and this is no different now that I've [re-signed] – I look forward to the challenge of being able to compete and perform for another year.
"Certainly I've never questioned my desire and want to not only play but train at the standard you have to to perform at this level."
He said the recent success of the club made his decision to sign for another year easier.
As the most experienced player on the Power's list by some margin, Cornes said he felt a responsibility to pass on as much as he could to his heirs.
"When I came to the club we used to win every week and played finals for five or six years in a row and then we went through a lean patch," he said.
"Now it looks like we're on the way back up.
"I've seen most things in footy now and I guess those experiences will help me pass on that knowledge and experience to the younger players.
"The responsibility's now back on me to maintain a high level of not only playing, but my work off the ground with the young players as well."
Port coach Ken Hinkley said the club was delighted to have Cornes continue for at least another year.
"Kane’s experience and professionalism is so vital around our young group," Hinkley said.
"We don’t have many older players in our group and Kane has been fortunate to have played through a very successful period at this club.
"That is really important when you’re trying to bring that successful culture back into a group."
The veteran wouldn't rule out a tilt at the 300-game milestone, although he said it was not something he focused on.
"This year's gone well and it's up to me to keep performing and if I do that then I guess there's no reason why I can't [play into a 15th season]," he said.
"A of of people like to talk about [300 games] and I guess as you get closer that conversation will continue, but I've never really personally set it out there as something I wanted to achieve.
"If I'm playing well enough and the club wants me to go on then possibly, but it's way too far away to even think about."
