Historic day: Wines to lead AFL Power club

Ollie Wines — Echuca Murray Bomber, pick seven of the 2012 draft and 129-game star of Port Adelaide — is now captain of his club.

He is believed to be the first footballer from Echuca to be named captain of an AFL club.

Wines, 24, was named as the co-captain of the Power yesterday afternoon alongside key Power defender Tom Jonas.

Hamish Hartlett has been named the club’s vice-captain.

Wines said it was an honour to lead his football club.

“To be appointed captain of Port Adelaide with Tom is very special,’’ he said.

‘‘To follow in the footsteps of Travis (Boak) and have your name alongside some of Port Adelaide’s all-time greats is amazing.

‘‘As a leadership group we are looking forward to leading from the front both on and off the field and taking this club forward on a path to sustained success.’’

Coach Ken Hinkley said the player vote on captaincy showed the leadership group was well and truly ahead of anyone else at the club for the role.

Hinkley spoke highly of Wines’ leadership.

‘‘It was clear from the day he arrived at Alberton he would one day be a key leader at our club. He trains hard, is the ultimate professional and forever leads from the front both on and off the field,’’ he said.

‘‘Ollie demonstrated his loyalty and care for this club last year when he committed long-term to Port Adelaide at a time when he could have easily gone to any other club in the competition.’’

It will be the first time in the 149-year history of the club there won’t be a sole captain.

It also means neither captain will wear the number one guernsey usually assigned to the club’s captain.

Yesterday Wines appeared at the press conference without a sling on his shoulder from his recent injury.

Though he was able to joke about the incident, Wines indicated he was not ready to return to the game.

‘‘I’ve only got it (the sling) off for this,’’ he laughed.

‘‘It’s feeling better, but it isn’t quite there for playing yet.

‘‘I’ll probably be in it for a couple more weeks, but I’m looking at being able to play in the first month of the season.’’

When the day of his return does finally come, he will create history for Echuca when he runs on to the ground.