Kane Cornes reacts as Power hold on in two-point win over Saints

06/30/2024 01:50 AM

AFL Nation commentator Kane Cornes was in the box for Port Adelaide's 60-62 win over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The Power just held on for victory as the Saints looked like they were running over their opposition late, but were able to finish on top.

In what was a pretty ordinary spectacle in terms of scoring and skills, Cornes still expects some Port Adelaide fans to be frustrated with their club's performance.

Despite that, he thinks the win could give Ken Hinkley some breathing space after he felt the pressure following last week's disastrous loss to Brisbane as the Power now sit seventh with a 9-6 win-loss record.

"A win is a win, the Saints kicked 2.2 (14) to 0.3 (3) in the last quarter," Cornes said on AFL Nation.

"The fans, I don't know, they'll be frustrated but it probably gives Ken Hinkley a fraction of breathing space.

"They'll point to the fact that you look at the AFL ladder and Port Adelaide will be back inside the eight, the Saints will be languishing at the foot of the ladder.

"I think the fallout with the Saints will be significant. But right now Port Adelaide is seventh, they're 9-6 and the season is still alive.

"You think hopefully you get Willie Rioli back and some players back and you can sort of make a charge."

While there weren't many positives to take out of the game for either side as a whole, Cornes hailed the performances of two Port standouts with Jason Horne-Francis dominant in the midfield and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher keeping Max King to zero goals.

"There were some individual performances that stood out," Cornes said.

"Let's talk about Horne-Francis for a moment … his run … Port Adelaide are out on their feet and are cooked … but he was able to dig in and almost pull his team over the line.

"He's just turned 21. 24 kicks, four clearances, seven inside 50s and nine score involvements.

"And I've got to mention Zerk-Thatcher which was probably his best game at AFL level.

"They're the positives out of a pretty ordinary game of footy."

Port Adelaide next face the Western Bulldogs next Saturday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval.