Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes will pull the boots on for a local football club this year after entering the 2023 Carlton Draft.
Commissioned by Brisbane great Jonathan Brown, the Carlton Draft initiative will see a host of AFL greats represent grassroots clubs this year to help build revenue at the local level following the financial strains of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year saw the likes of Jarryd Roughead, Shaun Burgoyne and Eddie Betts play local football as part of the draft, with this year's contingent already including Nathan Buckley, Jordan Lewis and Bernie Vince.
More famous names are set to be unveiled in the coming weeks, with Cornes the latest to join the list of former AFL stars.
The 40-year-old will bring 300 games of AFL experience to the local level, with Cornes also amassing a premiership win, two All-Australian selections and four best and fairests during his 15 seasons with Port Adelaide.
“Local footy is the backbone of the local community, and to be able to help out and support a struggling club is something I am looking forward to,” Cornes said.
“Hopefully all of the 2023 Carlton Draft draftees can create a special day for their selected club. Rest assured I will be doing all I can to not only raise much need funds but to get the win and celebrate with the entire community post-match."
Cornes said he's likely to play bruise-free footy in his return to the field, having last played seven years ago.
"There will not be any hardball gets, there won't be any tackles," Cornes told SEN on Tuesday morning.
"...I'll probably be a bit serious, but I should go out there and have some fun as long as there aren't any boofheads trying to knock me out.
"The Carlton Draft is a terrific initiative and I'm excited for it."
Cornes is set to play for a Victorian club as part of the Carlton Draft initiative, which allows local clubs to nominate themselves as potential landing spots for league greats.
The draft will take place in April, with Brown excited for another year of giving back to to local footy.
“The second iteration of The Carlton Draft continues Carlton Draught's longstanding tradition of supporting grassroots footy clubs," Brown said last week.
“We saw the impact that The Carlton Draft had on communities across Victoria last year, and to give six more lucky clubs the chance to have an ex-AFL legend lace up the boots for their club will be special."
Nominations for the Carlton Draft close March 27.
