Kane Cornes has admitted to being wrong about Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas.
Earlier this year, the Power games record holder suggested that Jonas wasn’t “the right choice as stand-alone captain” while questioning his credentials as skipper of the club.
But after Port kept top spot with a thrilling win over Carlton courtesy of Robbie Gray’s clutch after-the-siren goal, Cornes said his opinion of key defender Jonas was an error.
“When I have strong opinions, which I do and I get them wrong, I’m happy to put my hand up and say that I got them wrong,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“I was pretty critical of Port Adelaide at the time when they named Tom Jonas as captain.
“I didn’t think he was the right fit to be captain for a number of reasons. Just because he plays full-back, it’s hard to influence games across there. Is he as marketable as someone else? Does he have the aura and the marketability about him that a Travis Boak has? So they were my reasons for it.
“But his game yesterday was a truly outstanding captain’s game. So maybe I got that one wrong on Tom Jonas. The impact he’s having on that group has been significant.
“That was the best game I’ve seen him play for Port Adelaide. He was unbelievable.”
Cornes’ brother and Port development coach Chad likened the influence Jonas has on the playing group to that of former captaincy great Matthew Primus and highlighted the work the 29-year-old has done to take his leadership to the next level.
“He’s outstanding and he’s really impressed me,” Chad said.
“It’s like when we used to run out with Primus, the way he played, you just knew what you were going to get every week. He plays that tough Port Adelaide way better than anyone, Jona.
“He’s really improved his relationships off-field, the way he communicates with the boys and the coaches, you could not fault what he’s done this year.
“He’s been outstanding. Congratulations to the way he’s approached his captaincy.”
Jonas has guided the Power to an impressive 6-1 record which has them a game clear on top of the ladder ahead of next Saturday night’s clash with St Kilda at the Adelaide Oval.