Ahead of Anzac Appeal Round, Port Adelaide midfielder Ollie Wines said the significance of the round is not lost on him or his teammates. 

Wines was a recipient of the Peter Badcoe VC Medal in 2021, which is given to the player who best demonstrates the Anzac spirit, with qualities of skill, courage in adversity, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play. 

Fronting the Adelaide media from the HMAS Encounter in Osborne on Tuesday, Wines spoke alongside Port Adelaide CEO Matthew Richardson, Rebecca Wilson ADC (Commanding Officer of HMAS Encounter), Brad Flaherty (RSL SA, NT & Broken Hill President) and Greg Quinn (son of former player Bob Quinn). 

Wines on Anzac Appeal Round 
“It’s incredibly special. First of all, for the football club, we've got a long-standing relationship with the armed forces. We've had over 160 players represent (the defence force), past and present even. So, obviously, we've got a long relationship there, and we've had a home game for 22 years now, and it means a lot to us. And we have a lot of speakers coming this week to really let the boys understand what the club means to a lot of our service people. And I think in the modern day, as time goes on, it's probably been really tested that connection with our Anzacs and our servicemen and women, and I think this week gives us really good opportunity to continue to strengthen that between us as young men at the football club and what's happened over our country's history.” 

Wines on maintaining the connection with Anzac Appeal Round 
“It means a lot, obviously. Ultimately, we play game of football, but there's a lot more to life than kicking around a ball. Football brings a lot of people together from different backgrounds, and we're able to represent a lot of things and this week, it's our history and the Anzacs and what these people have sacrificed for us. So it's a really special day. And this year, it’s even more special that we actually get to play on the day itself. So certainly, the occasion is not lost on myself and my teammates.” 

Wines on the emotion of this round 
“Any Anzac service, whether it's the dawn service that morning or the service we have before we go to our starting positions, it gives everyone an opportunity for reflection. We were asked today to think in that one minute of silence what people have done for us and perhaps what we can do for others going forward. And as I said before, it's just a good moment for us to reflect on people who have sacrificed for us and what we can do going forward.” 

Wines on the Peter Badcoe VC Medal 
“Yeah, it means a lot. It all comes back to the Anzac spirit of courage and mateship, which I like to revolve my game around. And I think generally, they’re really Australian values, you know, being a good mate, showing courage, having resilience and to have that reflected in a medal for a game of football is special, and whoever wins it Saturday night, hopefully it's a Port Adelaide player, will really deserve it.” 

Wines on Zak Butters’ appeal 
“We were pretty clear on what we know happened from day one, and after the first tribunal, we were really disappointed with the result. I haven't really seen Butters like that before for the 20, 30 minutes afterwards, he really had to compose himself and understand what the result was. And since that day forward, the club's taken care of it, and they've taken it out of his hands, and he obviously reacted really well with his performance on the weekend. So we're glad it's over and it’s put to bed now. 

“Ultimately, it wasn't about me, though. It was about supporting Zak, and he was confident he didn't say what he was accused of saying, and it was all about supporting him and getting him through that moment.” 

Wines on the Tribunal process 
“It was my second time to the Tribunal in three games, so I was pretty well rehearsed with it. As a player, I'd like a review into it. It has to be similar to the legal system, I guess, because that's how you get a result. But ultimately, it's a game of football, and I think there can be better ways explored to come to a decision over these things…Obviously, the way that this has become so public and it's gone on for nine days, all parties involved, I think would really like to expedite the process.” 

Wines on his form 
“It probably tested me a little bit for a day or two (having to come back through the SANFL following suspension), but once I got my head around the rationale for what was going on, I was more than comfortable. I think now being back at AFL level this year, it's a completely different game this year. It’s just become so quick, and the stoppage numbers have decreased, and if you're not fully fit and ready to go, you just won't be able to run out the game. Albeit, the fifth man on the bench is an advantage, but I think you've got to be ready to go. And with my suspension, I wasn't able to play those pre-season games and get anything under my belt. So it is what it is now, and it's like I've sort of finished my pre-season now.” 

Wines on his future 
“Ultimately, I'll finish up at Port Adelaide, so I'm sure (an extension) will get done in time, but at the moment, I’m just enjoying life, enjoying my football. We’ve got a young, developing group. Certainly, the group dynamic is completely different to anything that I've been involved with in my time at Port Adelaide. I’m the second oldest at 31 and Aliir’s older by a few months. So seeing these young guys develop each week as footballers, as people. It's been really good to watch, and I'm just loving every day going to the club at the moment and seeing them develop. 

“I didn't think I was as different as an 18-year-old to a 31-year-old when I came here at 18. I think you get pretty old quick, and you lose touch with all the trends these days and what's going on and what boys wear and everything like that. So probably in a way it’s similar (with a new coach) to when I was 18 and those guys were older. But look, I'm loving every minute. As I said, we've got such good people at the footy club, coaches, staff included. And it's been a tough start to the year, win, loss, but really enjoying seeing the little improvements each week.”