IT HAS been a year of dreams come true for Port Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines, and on Saturday night he ticked off yet another one.

The tough 18-year-old not only ran out in his first AFL final – on the MCG, against Collingwood and its screaming black and white army, no less – but also played a crucial role in an upset 24-point win.

He had 18 disposals, including five clearances, and booted two huge set-shot goals, showing a veteran's poise under significant pressure.

Describing the night as "special", Wines admitted to an extreme bout of nerves before the match, but came away with an experience he will long remember.

"It was absolutely awesome," Wines told AFL.com.au after the win.

"It was such a good experience.

"To be honest, I was so nervous at the start – probably the most nervous I've been, more nervous than my first game.

"So it took a while just to get some body contact and realise that it was just another game, and from then on I could just play normal football, and we got a good result."

Despite few football followers giving the Power much hope of causing an upset in the lead-up to the clash, Wines said his teammates' belief was strong.

Having beaten Collingwood in round 14, Port Adelaide knew it was capable, and others' doubts only provided an extra spur.

"A lot wrote us off, and we sort of used that as a bit of inspiration," he said.

"We used it to really motivate us and drive us.

"We played them earlier in the year and played really well.

"We think we match up really well against them, so we were really confident.

"A lot of people didn't give us any chance, but we got the result we wanted."

Taking on board coach Ken Hinkley's advice to "soak up" the atmosphere and the occasion, Wines said he overcame his nerves when he found space and ran with the ball during the first quarter.

He described himself as "lucky to get on the end of a couple", when asked about his two goals, and said the team would come back next week and once again give its best against Geelong.

"We've faced a lot of challenges this year, and this will be no different," Wines said.

"We'll take the challenge on and give it all we've got."

Alongside Wines, fellow first-time finalist Chad Wingard was also brilliant, booting three goals.

Hinkley described the young duo as "special".

"The young boys in the team, they really did play some good, strong footy," he said.

"Ollie has had a great year in his first year [and] Chad has just had an unbelievable second year.

"It's a bit frightening, to be honest.

"We know good players play well in finals."