The 20-year-old was only called into the team on the morning of the match to replace bed-ridden Brownlow Medallist Simon Black.
He did not disappoint either, kicking 3.1 as a key forward and providing a good target for the Lions’ midfielders.
Cornelius played one game in his debut season in 2009 - against St Kilda in Melbourne - and has been consigned to the Lions’ reserves the entire season to date.
He said getting the call-up on match morning was not a bad thing.
“I got a good night’s sleep last night,” he laughed. “They gave me the call and told me my role and it was quite exciting.
" Vossy spoke to me and said I had a role up forward and just said to keep doing what I’d been doing in the last month, lead up at the ball and work-rate and those sort of things.”
Without captain Jonathan Brown (groin) and with full-forward Brendan Fevola enduring a horror night, Cornelius stood tall.
The 192cm forward took three contested marks, booted three goals, and also dished off another to Jack Redden after a slick pick-up and handball.
“I certainly didn’t feel out of place,” he said.
“It’s just great to be an apprentice player under the likes of Brown and Fevola.
"I’ve had a chance to go one-on-one with both of them; you can learn stuff of both of them. They’re both great players in their own way so you try and take a little of those guys along with your own game."
Cornelius said he had worked on his strength in the off-season to build on his relatively light frame and hoped this would be the start of a regular first-team position.
“When the opportunities arise I’ve got to take it with both hands. Hopefully now I’ve had a go and done enough to keep my spot and try and continue on,” he said.
