Port Adelaide stalwart Kane Cornes to retire from AFL

Port Adelaide stalwart Kane Cornes is quitting the AFL to become a firefighter.

Cornes will end his decorated career in a fortnight following his 300th game.

The four-time club champion, already deciding this would be his last of elite football, has successfully applied for training with the Metropolitan Fire Service.

But Cornes must accept his training offer or risk being overlooked in the future, admitting the decision had been forced on him.

"This is a great football club and I've had some incredible times at Port Adelaide and can't thank the club enough for everything it has given me," he said on Thursday.

"This is the right time for me to give someone else an opportunity. We have got some terrific young players who will now step and make their mark on the game."

The 32-year-old's final game will be against Richmond on May 24.