Ollie Wines heart issue: Brownlow Medallist set to face North Melbourne

Ollie Wines’ heart flutters returned on Sunday, leading him to be subbed out for the third time in his career over the issue - but his coach says he will be fit to play North Melbourne this week.

Port Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines has been cleared to face North Melbourne on Saturday.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said Wines was fine, three days after being subbed off during the win against Sydney due to the return of a heart rhythm issue.

The Brownlow Medallist was diagnosed with the condition in 2022 and had come out of games because of it three times during that span.

“He’s checked in with the medical team and specialists, and he’ll be OK to play this week,” Hinkley said.

Ollie Wines will still face the Kangaroos. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Wines expected the issue to be behind him after having minor surgery during the off-season.

It is something he, the Power and doctors will continue to manage.

“Ollie knew exactly what was going on and he wasn’t too worried about it,” Hinkley said of how Wines felt during the match.

“It was more ‘why did this happen again?’

“He’s got great support from the medical team here and his specialists.”

Wines said on Monday he is “back to normal” despite his heart issue returning and that he thought surgery had fixed it.

“Yeah I am fine 100 per cent, it is exactly the same thing that has happened again despite a procedure,” Wines told TV crews at Alberton on Monday.

“Just have to attack like we did for the last couple of years.

“I did think it had fixed it but I have since found out that it can find a way to come back so it is something I have to deal with and manage.”

Wines isn’t too concerned with the issue but admits he can’t continue to play out a match if it arises.

“It is not something that happens a lot but it is something that inconveniences me playing football because you can’t hide and you have to get subbed out,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned I am 100 per cent back to normal at the moment, it is just those couple of hours from the trigger of intense activity or a full fluke it happens and once it finishes I am fully back to normal.”

Ollie Wines and Jase Burgoyne after the final siren. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Hinkley said captain Connor Rozee would play half-back again to start the home match against the Kangaroos on Saturday.

Rozee (27 disposals, a game-high 825m gained) impressed in defence for a second consecutive week, earning eight coaches votes - just as he did in the Gather Round triumph against Hawthorn.

Key defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will return this week via the SANFL after being sidelined for close to three months with a back injury.

Port has climbed to a 3-3 win-loss record after starting the season with a 91-point loss to Collingwood and then losing two of its next three games.

Hinkley was pleased with the way his side had regained its identity, based around contested footy, attacking play and being difficult to face.

“Unless we’re undefeated and on top of the ladder, you’re not going to be absolutely happy, but we’re happy with the way we’ve grown through the start of the season,” he said.

Port will wear a special Anzac-inspired guernsey against the Kangaroos.

The jumper pays tribute to the club’s 164 past players who served in the military and those who continue to make sacrifices for the country.

Originally published as Ollie Wines heart issue: Brownlow Medallist set to face North Melbourne