Battered and bloodied Power vice-captain Ollie Wines keen to test Port Adelaide midfield against Melbourne bulls
PORT Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines took a battering to an ear as he showed the way with contested ball for the Power on Thursday night — and knows the same will be needed to beat Melbourne next week.
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PORT Adelaide vice-captain Ollie Wines is expecting the Power midfield to face a major test of its new appetite for contested football against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
Wines set the agenda with his “Bash Brothers” partnership with midfield partner Sam Powell-Pepper on Thursday night — and wants to relive this critical edge in Power games against the bullish Demons midfield next week.
“This week — against Melbourne — it is a really big test for our midfield,” said a battered and bloodied Wines on radio FIVEaa after his game-high 35 touches against the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night.
“That’s Melbourne’s weapon — they have big bodies in there (the engine room). It is going to be a big challenge for us.”
“And when our midfield gets over teams, we kick goals and a winning score,” added Wines after Port Adelaide achieved its highest score of the season (20.12).
The Power is on the edge of the AFL’s top-four rankings after advancing its win-loss record to 8-4 with the 57-point win against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.
“We want to win three in a row,” said Wines noting the Power is continuing its search for consistency after beating AFL premiers Richmond and the Bulldogs in consecutive weeks.
Wines and Powell-Pepper formed a powerful combination to power Port Adelaide’s contested-ball count. Powell-Pepper had a game-high 19 and Wines chalked up 13 as the Power won this key performance indicator by 19 (162-143).
Wines’ eagerness to put his head over the ball had him leave Adelaide Oval with a battered ear that was bleeding externally from a second-quarter knock when he ran into an opponent.
He woke after a bad sleep with major swelling to the ear.
“I am pretty sore — I’ve copped a whack in the ear to have a cauliflower ear,” Wines said. “I’ve had a shocking sleep because I can only sleep on my back, not my side. My pillow is covered in blood.”
Wines’ form highlights he is not being distracted by the wait for paperwork to confirm his renewed contractual commitment to Port Adelaide where he stands as the club’s future captain.
“I’ve been able to find personal form,” Wines said. “It helps as a team — and as a midfield group — that we are all on the same page and all playing well. It is pleasing at the moment.”
Port Adelaide completes a three-game stand at Adelaide Oval with the finals-defining clash with fellow top-four contender Melbourne on Friday night.
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au
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