Cornes urges Power to put Rozee on ice after being named to face Hawks

Kane Cornes has urged Port Adelaide to not play Connor Rozee in Sunday’s match against Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval.

At this stage, Rozee has been named in the 26-man squad for the clash and has been listed to start on the field as a forward pocket.

Rozee missed last week’s win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium due to a hamstring injury, one he suffered originally in Round 7 against St Kilda before playing in Round 8 where he was subbed off when the concern was still hampering him.

Having spent just one week properly recovering, Cornes wants Rozee to have at least another week off as he thinks he’s simply too valuable to the Power for the rest of the 2024 season.

Even if Rozee gets through Friday’s training session, Cornes would like to see him put on ice to make sure he’s more than 100 per cent ready for a potential Round 11 return against North Melbourne in Hobart.

“This is a big one, you can't play Connor Rozee this week, can you? When Port Adelaide play Hawthorn on Sunday,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.

“Even if he was fit right, surely you just say, ‘Have another week off’.

“The old rule with the hamstring was, ‘When it's right, give it another week’. He clearly wasn't right a week ago in the Showdown. It was an embarrassing set of circumstances.

“Thankfully, they won (the next week against Geelong), so no harm done. But I mean, it's against Hawthorn … I know that’s a dangerous thing to say, but I think you manage him for one more week.

“We'll wait and see whether he's named in the squad, he'll have to get through the captain's run.

“I’m just saying, even if he gets through that (session), don’t play him.

“He is too valuable.”

Port Adelaide’s final 23 will be named on Friday evening ahead of the Sunday game. The bounce for the clash against the Hawks is set for 3:20 pm (AEST) and 2:50 pm (ACST).