- Oct 12, 2003
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From AFL.com
Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes admits the Power will never have a better chance to reach their first AFL grand final after Sunday's breakthrough home finals' victory over Geelong.
It was an upbeat Power squad that gathered for Monday's recovery session at Semaphore beach with Port reporting no serious injuries from Sunday's 55-point demolition of the Cats in the qualifying final.
It was the first time Port had ever won their opening final - following defeats in home qualifying finals in the past two years - and ensures the club will host its first ever preliminary final at AAMI Stadium in a fortnight against the winner of Friday night's St Kilda-Sydney semi-final at the MCG.
And Cornes said on Monday the Power players could hardly wait to play the preliminary final before their own fans in Adelaide, after bowing out in the past two preliminary finals on interstate soil against Brisbane at the Gabba in 2002 and Collingwood in 2003.
But both those defeats came after the Power had lost their opening final at home and then were forced to play in semi-final week to reach the last four, while in contrast this year they will enjoy the week off for the first time following Sunday's impressive win.
"What we have done is give ourselves the best possible chance to play in a grand final, which is exciting," Cornes said on Monday.
"We know we have still got work ahead of us and it will be a massive game in a couple of weeks but we are one game from playing in a grand final which is a huge incentive for us."
Cornes said having the week off would be a huge advantage for the Power, with the players relieved to get their first final out of the way after copping plenty of criticism for shock losses in similar circumstances to Sydney last year and Collingwood the year before.
"Certainly it was a relief for us to put up an impressive performance in an important game," he said.
And Cornes said as a result the players would go into the preliminary final much more confident than they have in the past two years.
"We've got the week off so for the players carrying niggling injuries it gives them the chance to get over them and everyone should be firing for the preliminary final."
"It's certainly different for us compared to the last couple of years when we have had to battle to get into the preliminary final."
"But playing at home this time will be a huge advantage for us."
And Cornes said the Power was determined to not let their fans down again after the finals disappointments of the past few years.
"The players know they have to make the most of this game," he said. "It's the most important game in the club's history."
"In the past we have done it the hard way and just fallen short but this time we have given ourselves the best possible opportunity of playing in a grand final and everyone is looking forward to it."
Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes admits the Power will never have a better chance to reach their first AFL grand final after Sunday's breakthrough home finals' victory over Geelong.
It was an upbeat Power squad that gathered for Monday's recovery session at Semaphore beach with Port reporting no serious injuries from Sunday's 55-point demolition of the Cats in the qualifying final.
It was the first time Port had ever won their opening final - following defeats in home qualifying finals in the past two years - and ensures the club will host its first ever preliminary final at AAMI Stadium in a fortnight against the winner of Friday night's St Kilda-Sydney semi-final at the MCG.
And Cornes said on Monday the Power players could hardly wait to play the preliminary final before their own fans in Adelaide, after bowing out in the past two preliminary finals on interstate soil against Brisbane at the Gabba in 2002 and Collingwood in 2003.
But both those defeats came after the Power had lost their opening final at home and then were forced to play in semi-final week to reach the last four, while in contrast this year they will enjoy the week off for the first time following Sunday's impressive win.
"What we have done is give ourselves the best possible chance to play in a grand final, which is exciting," Cornes said on Monday.
"We know we have still got work ahead of us and it will be a massive game in a couple of weeks but we are one game from playing in a grand final which is a huge incentive for us."
Cornes said having the week off would be a huge advantage for the Power, with the players relieved to get their first final out of the way after copping plenty of criticism for shock losses in similar circumstances to Sydney last year and Collingwood the year before.
"Certainly it was a relief for us to put up an impressive performance in an important game," he said.
And Cornes said as a result the players would go into the preliminary final much more confident than they have in the past two years.
"We've got the week off so for the players carrying niggling injuries it gives them the chance to get over them and everyone should be firing for the preliminary final."
"It's certainly different for us compared to the last couple of years when we have had to battle to get into the preliminary final."
"But playing at home this time will be a huge advantage for us."
And Cornes said the Power was determined to not let their fans down again after the finals disappointments of the past few years.
"The players know they have to make the most of this game," he said. "It's the most important game in the club's history."
"In the past we have done it the hard way and just fallen short but this time we have given ourselves the best possible opportunity of playing in a grand final and everyone is looking forward to it."
