Ollie Wines contract could give Port Adelaide its own Rory Sloane-style dilemma

WINES, like Sloane is the club’s vice-captain, and is out of contract this season and has stated he is in no hurry to sign a new contract with Port Adelaide, writes Chris McDermott.

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THE biggest topic in South Australian football has been Rory Sloane’s contract.

But down the road from the Adelaide Football club at Port Adelaide, the Power is facing a similiar dilemma with young gun Ollie Wines.

Wines, like Sloane is the club’s vice-captain, and is out of contract this season and has stated he is in no hurry to sign a new contract with Port Adelaide

Much like the Crows they will need to defy history to do so.

The record books show when a player of that quality is out of contract be very afraid, someone will make him an offer that in most cases, cannot be refused.

Josh Kelly defied convention and stayed with the Giants but the majority of other players in similar situations have walked.

Buddy Franklin, Tom Boyd and more recently Jake Lever and Bryce Gibbs just to name a few. They move for money not love!

Ollie is next in line.

Love for a club is one thing but in the game today money talks

Wines can expect a big money offer around the million-dollar mark from at least one, if not several, AFL clubs.

Collingwood, North Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda are potential suitors.

These four are desperate for some midfield class and all would move heaven and earth to entice a player of Wine’s quality back to Victoria.

There is more to Wines than just his numbers.

He oozes leadership, learning from the best in Travis Boak.

He is certain to be the AFL’s next million-dollar man but he must put up some million dollar numbers in 2018 to make that possibility a reality.

Rory Sloane is already worth a $1 million a season with two club champion awards, runner-up twice and one All Australian selection.

He turns 28 this month and has another five-to-six great years of quality football ahead before he even contemplates slowing down.

Sloane is the complete package, Wines is not yet.

There is no, “buyer beware” warning for a purchaser but there is a slight risk.

Ollie is yet to put up elite numbers for a full season.

There are long periods of brilliance but not a full season.

He shows great qualities inside but not outside.

His disposal is good but not great.

He hits the scoreboard well but not enough.

The beauty of this 23-year-old is, there is plenty of improvement in his game but he needs to find it now.

Wines’ career-best 628 disposals in 2017 were at just 65.1 percent, equal worst of any player in the top 40,

Its time for the cream to be put on Ollie’s cake but if he does, it may come at a price for the PAFC.

A million dollar price, that may ultimately be a price too much to pay!

Originally published as Ollie Wines contract could give Port Adelaide its own Rory Sloane-style dilemma