A day after AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou declared they had bottomed out, Port Adelaide began the climb towards viability by re-signing key men Chad Cornes and Alipate Carlile to two-year deals.

The signature of action man Cornes was prized in particular, for his name had been one of those linked to the fledgling GC17 project as the sort of senior player any club would desire.

However Cornes said he was now committed to seeing out his days at Alberton Oval, having flirted briefly with the Gold Coast option when asked about it in 2008.

"You dont have to be an expert to work out we've got some great talent here at the club and we're certainly heading in the right direction," Cornes said on Thursday.

"Spending my career at the one club is something I'll look back on at the end of my career and be very proud of, and to do it at a club like Port Adelaide is pretty special.

"I've been thinking about it over the last couple of weeks and I'm very thankful that the club and I have been able to reach an agreement early in the process."

Carlile is lower profile than Cornes but no less important to the team structure, as the reliable fullback around which Port are seeking to build their new model defence.

He said Demetriou's reassuring words to the players in midweek had assuaged uncertainty about where the club was headed.

"Andrew came across and dispelled a few rumours that were out in the papers. For him to put his foot down on the situation that we're in has really helped us out," Carlile said on Thursday.

"I wouldn't say we were unsettled, but with the CEO running around (trying to sort out financial issues) it probably put a little bit of doubt in a few of the boys' minds, but that's all been squashed now and we're really happy."

The signatures of Cornes and Carlile are yet to be joined by that of coach Mark Williams, who is out of contract at year's end, but there is a growing chance that he will stay.

"I'd love to see Choco (Williams) stay with the club," Carlile said.

"He's a really good leader and a really good mentor, but as long as the rest of the coaches are here and we all know what we're aiming for, then I'm happy with the club.

"I haven't really spoken to anyone about it, but I think most of the guys are happy with Choco and would love to see him stay."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP