Kane to step up for bigger role

Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #1
well given the comments some have made during the off season I think most of us will be happy to see the following come true.....


Kane to step up for bigger role
By ZAC MILBANK The Advertiser 11 February 2004

KANE Cornes feels he has a lot to prove as an AFL footballer.

Despite entrenching himself in Port Adelaide's starting 22 last season by negating some of the best in the business, he wants to diversify. "I'm definitely working on getting more of the ball this year and playing a few different roles in the midfield," Cornes, 21, said.

"That may be on the wing, ruck-roving or a bit of tagging.

"It won't be defensive tagging, more like a Paul Licuria (Collingwood) or Josh Carr type role. Developing more of an attacking mentality, that's what I've been working on in the pre-season."

Simon Black, Andrew McLeod and Shane Crawford were just a few of Cornes' scalps and he has gleaned a lot from providing them an extra shadow. "You're learning from the best guys," Cornes said.

"That's things like where they're running, their work ethic and the way they read the ball." But the time has arrived for the younger of the Cornes brothers to become the hunted rather than the hunter.

"You don't have to be an outstanding player to run with someone and shut them down," Cornes said modestly.

"I don't think people realise how hard it is for players to be run with, it could be anyone doing the job.

"If someone's with you there all the time it is very difficult to get the ball."

He is determined to piece together his new-found knowledge when constructing his own style of play. "I don't think I surprised myself, it was more getting your head around how lucky you are to be playing in the AFL on these superstars," Cornes said.

"The first few times it was a bit nerve-wracking but once you get used to it you don't think anything of it.

"Now you're just looking to develop into one of those players yourself." The prolonged loss of Josh Francou has left a mark. "When the news came we were all devastated," Cornes said.

"You feel pretty lucky but at the same time you know that at any stage of a game it could be you."
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #3
Did you pick Carr as well.......


Time to stand up says Carr
Port Adelaide Football Club Mon 9 February, 2004

Power midfielder Josh Carr says he personally must step up in 2004 as the club looks to cover key on-ballers Nick Stevens and Josh Francou.

Carr has finished in the top six of the best and fairest in the past three seasons and is very highly regarded at Alberton but on Monday surprised by saying his input had to lift beyond “average”.

Stevens and Francou have been the club’s two highest possession winners in its seven-year AFL history. But with Stevens off-season departure to Carlton and Francou re-injuring his knee, Carr says it’s up to players like him, with help from the emerging youngsters, to fill the void.

The Power’s next line of on-ballers includes Carr, Jarrad Schofield, Peter Burgoyne, Kane Cornes and Roger James. While Steven Salopek, Domenic Cassisi, and even Brett Ebert are the younger brigade likely to get more opportunities.

“It’s probably up to guys like myself who have probably been just around the average player over the last few years. I think its time for us to stand up and move into a better role,” Carr said.

“I wouldn’t say I was excited to have (Francou and Stevens) gone. Choco (Mark Williams) is looking for me to stand up a bit more this year anyway (but) the younger guys might be a bit more excited (about the opportunities).

“They can play a bit of a cameo role for us, come in, get a few possessions and get a good rotation going.”

The dual best team man award winner has also been mooted as a possible deputy vice-captain for the coming season in support to Matthew Primus (captain) and Warren Tredrea (vice-captain). The Power is yet to announce its official leadership group, although one change is likely due the delisting of co vice-captain Stephen Paxman.

“I do enjoy doing that role, probably more to the younger guys that have come in to the club and come from interstate like I did myself. If I can offer a little bit to them, then that’s my job,” Carr said.

“I’m sure my role this year will be a bit more of a leadership role in that midfield group and hopefully Roger (James) can come back (from a groin injury) and add a bit of support there as well.”

The Power will play an internal trial match on Saturday that coincides with the Power Kick Off, a big family event at Alberton Oval. It will be the only trial before the following Saturday’s Wizard Cup opener against Geelong in Cairns. The premiership season is also on the horizon (starting 28 March) and Carr says the team can’t wait.

“I think the guys have been hanging out to play games for a fair while now and we had one of our last official pre-season running sessions this morning and I think the guys were pretty happy to see the end of that,” he said.

Carr joked he would have to “throw a few elbows around and get rid of a few of those younger guys” at the internal trial as the competition for spots in the side heated up.

“I think you have to go in pretty hard (at the internal trial) otherwise you might get a little bit injured. It takes a few weeks for the body to get used to that sort of body pressure so I’m sure the boys will go in pretty hard,” he said.

“It’s going to be nice and hot up there (in Cairns) so I think its going to be 38 on Saturday for the internal trial so it will be a good warm up to that game.

“To have Matty (Primus’s) leadership back out there again will be a huge bonus for us. Matty adds a fair bit of enthusiasm as a ruckman as well so it’s going to be great to have him back in the side.”



Carr joined Power chief executive Brian Cunningham on Monday at AAMI Stadium to promote a new venture between the AFL, Origin Energy and the clubs.

Known as ‘Inside50’, it is the biggest integrated and structured membership program in AFL history.

Inside50 rewards football fans in Victoria and South Australia with $50 towards their 2004 club membership, and a further $50 towards their 2005 membership, when they sign up their household gas and electricity to Origin Energy. This offer applies to existing or new Power members, and the $50 membership rebate can be used to purchase any type of club membership, and is limited to one per household.

Origin Energy is a leading gas and electricity provider in South Australia and Victoria and services over 2 million customers across Australia.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#4
I should be happy since he is my buddy, but I am not sure what to make of it.
Wing or ruck-roving, yeah. You beauty.
But what does being an attacking tagger mean when we already have one?
Being accountable in the midfield is one thing, but using that T word is scary. If he is aspiring to become more like Josh Carr he will go from high 200+ possessions to High 300+ or low 400.
What we need, and he is more than capable of doing so, is High 400 to low 500 working towards high 500.
Between Francou and Stevens we have lost over 1000 possessions per year, and somebody (plural) needs to get them back. Shutting the opposition down will not do it, and Kane Cornes is one of the ones that could do that if played as an attacking midfielder full stop.
 

mic59

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Jul 20, 2002
Posts
18,205
Likes
10,194
Location
Alberton, the chosen land
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Blyth Spartans, Dallas Cowboys
#6
Kane is one of those players who could take a game apart if given the right remit. His 2003 may have seemed disappointing to a lot of people, but some of his games were worthy of the best. Kane was in the top 5 in the B&F in 4 of the first 5 games, and was in the top 5 of the B&F in the last 5. He was conspicuously absent from the best players in rounds 6 to 17, although he was out injured for rounds 14, 15 and 16.

Hopefully he can show a bit more consistency in a less negative midfield role than he has usually been given.
 

portly

Club Legend
Joined
Apr 8, 2001
Posts
2,825
Likes
1,483
Location
SA
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
#7
I do see Kane as an attacking midfielder. More in the Simon Black mould than the Josh Francou. And he can run all day so he could help replace the Nick whatsisname link person.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#8
I see Kane as a Rolls Royce version of Bode. Kane is the Tagger, and Bode the attacking midfielder. Go figure.

The three players that could possibly be the 500+ possession getters IMO are K.Cornes, Salopeck and Ebert.

One I haven't seen and only going on reports, plus would be a year or two away even so.
Salopeck is also still a year or so away from being a 500+ player, and that leaves only Kane Cornes.
Carr, James and Schofield have never done it, Peter Burgoyne will have a lot of stints in the forward line, and Wanganeen doesn't count as a midfielder.

Kane it must be.

EDIT: And nobody is allowed to mention the K word. Even he hasn't done it. :D
 
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #9
Originally posted by PAfolwr
The three players that could possibly be the 500+ possession getters IMO are K.Cornes, Salopeck and Ebert.

One I haven't seen and only going on reports, plus would be a year or two away even so.

Salopeck is also still a year or so away from being a 500+ player, and that leaves only Kane Cornes.

Carr, James and Schofield have never done it, Peter Burgoyne will have a lot of stints in the forward line, and Wanganeen doesn't count as a midfielder.
Whilst he hasn't done it in the past James is more than capable of racking up the possessions especially now he will have moved up the order - sure he may have a slow start to the season but a fit and firing Roger James is something we need in 2004.

Even last year when he was playing at somewhere between 50% and 80% he still managed to average 20 possessions a game.

I'd also suggest with a season under his belt that Wilbur could see some time in the midfield as well and he is the sort of player we will need there this year as it's an in and under player that we need to see - something that was missing most of last year.

What we need to see is players like Cassisi, K Cornes, J Carr, Wilbur, Junior Burger & Dew step up a gear from last season - especially Junior Burger.

At the same time we should be giving players like Salopek, Ebert & Hall (who should be putting everything into getting a run this year) plenty of time on the field during the pre-season.


I think the main thing is with the midfield that we get back to winning the 50/50 balls that Francou used to clean up on - we certainly have the players capable of doing the job.
 
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #10
Originally posted by PAfolwr
But what does being an attacking tagger mean when we already have one?
Being accountable in the midfield is one thing, but using that T word is scary.
Watch Josh Carr's game against Brisbane in Brisbane last year - if we could have Josh and Kane playing like that consistently in the midfield next year really could be Nick who..........:D
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#11
Originally posted by dreamkillers
Watch Josh Carr's game against Brisbane in Brisbane last year - if we could have Josh and Kane playing like that consistently in the midfield next year really could be Nick who..........:D
Hmm, you know I didn't get to see that game.
Too busy driving a wedding car at the time, and then not being able to get a video. :D
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #12
Originally posted by PAfolwr
Hmm, you know I didn't get to see that game.
Too busy driving a wedding car at the time, and then not being able to get a video. :D
Well there is a possibility we could watch that game on Sunday for the Supporters Group Show as it appears the 2003 highlights tape may not make it here in time.

It will be a choice between that or one of the showdowns from last year.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#13
Originally posted by dreamkillers
Well there is a possibility we could watch that game on Sunday for the Supporters Group Show as it appears the 2003 highlights tape may not make it here in time.

It will be a choice between that or one of the showdowns from last year.
That one or the West Coast game would be good.
 
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #14
Originally posted by PAfolwr
That one or the West Coast game would be good.
Nah that was a pretty ordinary game as West Coast didn't come out to play on the night...........whereas that Brisbane game was one of our best last year.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#15
Back on the midfield stats, I just had a look at James's figures, and apart from what I would call his purple patch, the last few rounds before the finals in 2002, he is not a consistently high possession winner.
That is not to say he is not a quality player, he is, but not the high possession player that we have lost. Not only that, but during his purple patch both Stevens and Francou were playing.

We do need to unearth one or two high possession winners, or else we will have a tough time in the midfield, and at this point in time IMO it is out of Cornes, Salopeck or Ebert.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#16
Originally posted by dreamkillers
Nah that was a pretty ordinary game as West Coast didn't come out to play on the night...........whereas that Brisbane game was one of our best last year.
They were the two I missed. Wedding one week, and engagement the other. To top it off my video was stuffed at the same time.
Talk about choice weeks to miss. :mad:
 
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #17
Originally posted by PAfolwr
Back on the midfield stats, I just had a look at James's figures, and apart from what I would call his purple patch, the last few rounds before the finals in 2002, he is not a consistently high possession winner.
That is not to say he is not a quality player, he is, but not the high possession player that we have lost. Not only that, but during his purple patch both Stevens and Francou were playing.

We do need to unearth one or two high possession winners, or else we will have a tough time in the midfield, and at this point in time IMO it is out of Cornes, Salopeck or Ebert.
That purple patch would have been the last time he was above 80% fit - what you also need to consider is what role did Roger play whilst we had both Francou and Stevens in the team compared to what role he will have this year when fully fit.

Sure we do need to find a couple of new midfielders to assist but as Josh said it's players like himself, James, Schofield, Peter Burgoyne, Dew and Kane Cornes that need to step up to fill the void.

The youngsters like Salopek, Ebert, Cassisi and Junior Burger should also be frothing at the mouth to show they are more than capable of taking on a midfield support role this year.

Add to that players like Wilbur, Wanganeen, Pickett and Junior Burger who will more than likely have some cameo roles at times during the season and I'm not that concerned about the midfield.

It's the forwards that are my concern with Chad going down back (and I'd like to see him get the odd mid field run as well) we really need Lade to build on his performances towards the end of last season. We then have Damon White who I have as our 'X' factor this year.

We have the player to do the jobs required and a quite a few should be pushing real hard at the moment to ensure they get the opportunity to impress during the Wizard Cup and early minor round games.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#18
Originally posted by dreamkillers
That purple patch would have been the last time he was above 80% fit - what you also need to consider is what role did Roger play whilst we had both Francou and Stevens in the team compared to what role he will have this year when fully fit.

Sure we do need to find a couple of new midfielders to assist but as Josh said it's players like himself, James, Schofield, Peter Burgoyne, Dew and Kane Cornes that need to step up to fill the void.

The youngsters like Salopek, Ebert, Cassisi and Junior Burger should also be frothing at the mouth to show they are more than capable of taking on a midfield support role this year.

Add to that players like Wilbur, Wanganeen, Pickett and Junior Burger who will more than likely have some cameo roles at times during the season and I'm not that concerned about the midfield.

It's the forwards that are my concern with Chad going down back (and I'd like to see him get the odd mid field run as well) we really need Lade to build on his performances towards the end of last season. We then have Damon White who I have as our 'X' factor this year.

We have the player to do the jobs required and a quite a few should be pushing real hard at the moment to ensure they get the opportunity to impress during the Wizard Cup and early minor round games.
I have no problem with thinking that we have good players. we do.
Hardwick, Wilbur, Carr, Burgoyne, Schofield, James etc are all good players.

As much as I was unhappy with Stevens over the last couple of years, he was one of two 500+ disposal per year player that we had. The other one is Francou.
We now have to find replacements for those 1000+ possessions that we are missing from 2 years ago (when all of the above players were also playing). Apart from Wilson, I do not think that the above mentioned players with add 100-200 possessions per year to their individual tally, and Wilbur will spend a lot of time in the backline.
Schofield will not go to 600+, neither will Burger, and I'll be surprised if Carr will do so as well. They may well step up, but 1000+ to catch up on is a lot.
Take Voss and Black out of Brisbane's midfield, and there is a big hole left behind that will be very hard to fill, even though they have many midfielders of the highest quality.

We do need to unearth another player or two.
If we don't, it doesn't mean we will all of a sudden have a really crappy midfield, but it will be worse than last year, and that was not as good as the year before.
Kane Cornes must step up as he is the most likely candidate to have a huge improvement. He could easily add 200 to his tally, but he must be released from those shackles first.
Next in line is Salopeck. Then we have Cassisi, Ebert and Hall. By all reports, it sounds as if Ebert is the more promising out of those.

Over-analysis of number here, and it is.
All they indicate is that we need to get our hands on the ball heaps more now that we have lost our top two possession getters.
Just having our current players stepping up whilst playing the same roles, IMO will not be enough.

EDIT: Lets not forget Mahoney. He may be the man.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#20
Originally posted by Porthos
I reckon Cassisi has the required reflexes to be a good inside midfielder, but needs to hone his system.
...
I agree. He was my big tip for most improved player at the beginning of last year, but something was not right during the season.
Not suited to the job he was given? Not understanding his role? "Second" year blues?
Don't know, but certainly was not the MIP in the end.
What role will he be given this year.
Two years ago he did show that he can dive under a pack and get the ball out as well as anyone.

Originally posted by Porthos
...Salopek I would just about write down as a definite.
He will be, but will he explode this year or next, that seems to be the only question at this stage. Hopefully it will be this year.
 

Portia

#DrewBlood
Joined
Oct 7, 2001
Posts
50,781
Likes
24,640
Location
Fragile bastion of liberalism
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Muckbuckle Dolmens
#21
Originally posted by PAfolwr
I agree. He was my big tip for most improved player at the beginning of last year, but something was not right during the season.
Not suited to the job he was given? Not understanding his role? "Second" year blues?
All of the above? He was being used as a tagger, which to me doesn't seem like a good job for him. You need to be a bit of slogger to be good at that, not a jackrabbit.....by which I mean its OK to make your decision on what to do earlier with tagging, being unpredictable is not an asset in that role.

According to the yearbook though, I reckon he's got the gold pass.

"Dom showed he could play. Given the opportunities, he took them up and played extremely well. I'm sure he'll be looking for more game time this year, which I'm happy to give him." - Choco

He will be, but will he explode this year or next, that seems to be the only question at this stage. Hopefully it will be this year.
If we put an `enforcer' type in with him to ensure he doesn't just get smacked into oblivion when he goes near the ball, this year should be the go. Watch him in the Port vs Geelong game from last year when he's in the middle, and he just keeps going and going at the ball.
 
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #22
Originally posted by PAfolwr
We do need to unearth another player or two.
If we don't, it doesn't mean we will all of a sudden have a really crappy midfield, but it will be worse than last year, and that was not as good as the year before.
I agree with you there.

Originally posted by PAfolwr
Kane Cornes must step up as he is the most likely candidate to have a huge improvement. He could easily add 200 to his tally, but he must be released from those shackles first.
Next in line is Salopeck. Then we have Cassisi, Ebert and Hall. By all reports, it sounds as if Ebert is the more promising out of those.
I agree again.....

Originally posted by PAfolwr
Over-analysis of number here, and it is.
All they indicate is that we need to get our hands on the ball heaps more now that we have lost our top two possession getters.
Just having our current players stepping up whilst playing the same roles, IMO will not be enough.

EDIT: Lets not forget Mahoney. He may be the man.
I agree again.............but then I see quite a few players in new or developing roles this year and this and the White/Lade forward factor as the biggest key to our success this year.

I think the difference is the players we really need to step up are not regulars now.........you already named the players we expect to step up above and there is no reason that Cassisi, Salopek, Ebert and possibly Hall cannot do that.

I think you may have over analysed my response a little though as what I am saying is that the above players have to step up in their development and just as importantly existing players also have to step up as indicated by Carr's recent statements.

I see Junior Burger, Cassisi, Wilbur, Cornes, Wanganeen, James and a few others also being the key in some different roles during 2004.

Whilst we have lost Stevens and Francou I actually see our side as more balanced this year and with expected improvement of our juniors as well as those mentioned above the season is looking ok.

The biggest key of all though as we all know.........will be the games plan/s and reaction time of the coach when things aren't going our way.

Mahoney and Forster-Knight could also show something given they have an opportunity as well.
 

PAfolwr

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Posts
6,342
Likes
5
Other Teams
PA
#23
Originally posted by Porthos
... jackrabbit.....

According to the yearbook though, I reckon he's got the gold pass.

"Dom showed he could play. Given the opportunities, he took them up and played extremely well. I'm sure he'll be looking for more game time this year, which I'm happy to give him." - Choco
[/QUOTE]
Jackrabbit. Good description. :D

I hope it is not pre-season Choco-talk again, but Gold pass?
Mini-me-Mark (Salopeck) has got that, but not too many will argue with that at this stage.

If we put an `enforcer' type in with him to ensure he doesn't just get smacked into oblivion when he goes near the ball, this year should be the go. Watch him in the Port vs Geelong game from last year when he's in the middle, and he just keeps going and going at the ball.
He did show in almost all of his games that he has all the pre-requisites required to be a genuine superstar if he continues to develop.
Skills, multiple efforts, no fear, can kick a goal, footy brain, almost endless list. Almost.
All that is left is time, experience at AFL level and a lot of work. (and to work on both feet)
 

PREDAT0R

Premium Platinum
Joined
Apr 27, 2002
Posts
12,910
Likes
5,946
Location
2004 Premiers
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Edmonton Oilers, Newcastle
#24
Originally posted by Porthos
Watch him in the Port vs Geelong game from last year when he's in the middle, and he just keeps going and going at the ball.
Which quarter? I wanna watch it on AFL.com
 
Joined
Jan 11, 2002
Posts
9,139
Likes
7
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Other Teams
Port Adelaide - SANFL
Thread starter #25
Originally posted by Porthos
If we put an `enforcer' type in with him to ensure he doesn't just get smacked into oblivion when he goes near the ball, this year should be the go. Watch him in the Port vs Geelong game from last year when he's in the middle, and he just keeps going and going at the ball.
That's where I see Wilbur getting some time in the midfield with Forster-Knight, Hardwick, Wanganeen, Monty, Poulton and even Junior Burger taking the small backline roles. From there rotate players like Wanganeen and Burger with Wilson when the need arises in the midfield.
 
Top Bottom