Ollie Wines is starting to get back to his best for Port Adelaide. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
1 of 1
ECHUCA’S Ollie Wines is again starting to show why he is considered one of the best inside midfielders in the AFL.
Against Melbourne and his good mate Jack Viney on Thursday night, the 25-year-old was a class above as the Power recorded a 51-point victory.
Despite Demons skipper Max Gawn dominating the hit-out count, Wines and his Port Adelaide crew were still able to get on top in the middle of the ground.
Wines, who is expected to play game 150 on Saturday against Richmond, said he and his teammates had a premeditated plan against Gawn.
“They are a super stoppage team and we knew coming into the game what we needed to do,” he told the Adelaide Advertiser.
“Peter Ladhams obviously went up against Max Gawn who arguably is the best ruckman in the AFL at the moment, and we understood it would be challenging to win the ball off the hand for us.
“So, whatever we could do to negate the first possession, bring it to ground, clear the contest ... we knew that our run on the outside of the contest would be able to expose Melbourne.
“We knew if we were able to get it to those ball-users on the outside, we were able to play some exciting footy.”
The Power is facing a quick turnaround as it returns to action against the Western Bulldogs on Monday night at Adelaide Oval.
“I think we will be pulling up pretty well,” Wines said.
He finished Thursday night with 25 disposals and one goal.
More sport news
GMC juniors learn from high performance coach
