Ollie Wines reveals December heart surgery, addresses Port’s coaching handover

Power superstar Ollie Wines says there’s added motivation at Port to not only send Ken Hinkley off on a high, but possibly a Port Adelaide legend alongside him.

Port Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines expects his heart issue to be behind him after having an off-season procedure.

Wines underwent minor surgery late last year to address an irregularity that caused palpitations in two games over the past three campaigns, including against Hawthorn nine months ago.

The Brownlow Medallist was diagnosed with a heart condition after he was subbed off versus Melbourne in 2022 and hospitalised.

His problem recurred against the Hawks last May, leading to him again being substituted.

He had managed it with expert advice and did not miss any matches.

“I had something done pre-Christmas so as far as I’m concerned, it’s all fixed,” Wines said.

“I shouldn’t have the problem ever again.”

Wines’ heart issue took him out of a 2024 clash. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Wines played all bar one of the Power’s games last year, taking his career tally to 253.

He arrived at Alberton with Ken Hinkley in late 2012 and was now preparing for his final campaign under his only AFL senior coach.

Port revealed last week that Hinkley would be passing the baton to experienced assistant Josh Carr after this season.

It confirmed this masthead’s exclusive story that an announcement was imminent.

“I probably understood something was coming from just reading the media,” Wines said.

“As far as we’re concerned, it’s changed nothing among the playing group in the here and now.

“We’ve put it behind us and we’re onto 2025.”

Wines said the Power, which had made three preliminary finals in the past five seasons, had extra motivation to win a breakthrough premiership in Hinkley’s farewell campaign.

“Individually I’ve always thought like that, not just for Kenny but Boaky’s (veteran Travis Boak) getting older and I don’t know how many more years he can play,” he said.

“We’ve always had the motto ‘you get what you deserve’.

“The best thing you can do is keep turning and keep striving to get there.

“Obviously it’s Kenny’s last crack here and we’ll be giving everything to try to win a flag, like we do every year.”

Wines expected his role – and the midfield in general – to look pretty similar this season, starting with the trial against Adelaide in Mount Barker on Friday.

He said the Power was treating the match as a dress rehearsal for the season-opener against Collingwood at the MCG on March 15, even though he did not think the intensity of round 1 could be replicated.

“We’re going there with all intentions to win the game and play really well,” he said.

“I don’t think we’ll be wasting the opportunity to test out the changes we’ve made over summer and I think the Crows will be the same.”

Wines was speaking at the announcement of automotive brand MG Motor Australia re-signing for three more years as a Power major sponsor.

Chairman David Koch described it as the biggest commercial partnership in the club’s history.

“It’s a significant day for the Port Adelaide Football Club,” Koch said.

Originally published as Ollie Wines reveals December heart surgery, addresses Port’s coaching handover