Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide’s 2021 Brownlow medallist, is facing a third round of non-invasive heart surgery. Unsurprisingly, he intends to make this decision after the end of the AFL season. He had a heart procedure in early December. The chances of it failing were just 1 percent, but the possibility still played a role in his decision. Despite the challenges posed by a heart irregularity that sometimes triggers palpitations, Wines remains focused on his performance and recovery.
Wines has fought life-threatening medical crises over the last few years. With a comprehensive intervention plan, he’s been able to largely keep his condition in check over the past two seasons. Though he shared excitement over the current management strategy, his recognition of the challenge that his disease presents was sobering.
Recent Health Challenges
In a recent match against Sydney on 20 April, Wines experienced serious heart palpitations. This concerning experience resulted in his replacement, and he was understandably annoyed over this. This was the third time in four seasons that he had to leave a game on short notice. His heart irregularity made him leave a second time. The palpitations came after his surgery last December, showing how his health issues linger on.
“It was frustrating (to be subbed out against Sydney),” – Ollie Wines
Wines’s experience with these episodes has not only affected him personally but impacted his team’s performance. At the moment, Port Adelaide is 15th with four wins and seven losses. Hungry for redemption, the team wants to rediscover their flow and punch towards their next stage of accountability and direct play against GWS.
Intervention Plan Under Review
Wines has been implementing a Reclamation and Habitat Enhancement Plan that’s showing remarkable success. Seeing the progress made over the last eight years fills him with hope for the future. He plans to undergo additional surgery after the end of the season. He understands that it’s important to do a full review of his health situation before committing to anything long-term.
“So at the moment, it’s just this plan that has previously worked,” – Ollie Wines
Wines and his teammates are back to work after a mid-season bye, looking to climb out of the bottom of the league’s standings. The team is dedicated to continuing to help one another through this difficult time, putting as much emphasis on mental strength as physical endurance.
Future Considerations
As the season winds down, Wines and his team are getting ready to start determining what his next course of treatment will look like. He remains dedicated to his role as a leader on the field and is confident in the support from his teammates and coaching staff.
“Ken’s our coach, he will be for the rest of the year,” – Ollie Wines
He expressed faith in their collective abilities, stating, “I know he’s got a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job and we’ll be there for him.”
Regardless of the failures, Wines wanted to focus on the team’s competitive nature year in and year out.
“Despite not winning a premiership, I think we’ve always been up there and we’ve played a lot of finals,” – Ollie Wines
