Wines makes vintage debut in Port Adelaide's big win on MCG

Pioneers star Wines earns praise from coach

FORMER Bendigo Pioneer Ollie Wines is a first-time All-Australian after his stellar season for Port Adelaide was recognised with selection in the centre on Thursday night.

Wines, 26, was one of 11 first-time players named in the All-Australian team, with his berth due reward for a season in which he averaged 32 disposals per game.

"It's a huge honour. I don't think any footballer sets out at the start of the season to make the All-Australian team, it's about team success," Wines said on Fox Footy.

"But to be recognised in the team along with everyone else who has made it is definitely a huge honour.

"We've formed a really good relationship with the mids and it's a really potent midfield we think and I'm proud to play a part in it."

As well as his selection in the All-Australian team, Wines also finished equal runner-up alongside Western Bulldogs' captain Marcus Bontempelli to Melbourne hard-nut Clayton Oliver in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player Award.

Oliver - who also has a connection to the Bendigo Pioneers, playing three TAC Cup games with the team in 2014 before joining the Murray Bushrangers in 2015 - won with 114 votes, with Wines and Bontempelli each polling 101 votes.

Both coaches cast votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis after each game, with Wines earning votes in 17 games:

Rd 1 - v North Melbourne:

3 votes (30 disposals)

Rd 2 - v Essendon

5 votes (38 disposals)

Rd 4 - v Richmond

5 votes (27 disposals)

Rd 5 - v Carlton

8 votes (32 disposals)

Rd 6 - v St Kilda

10 votes (36 disposals)

Rd 7 - v Brisbane

3 votes (37 disposals)

Rd 9 - v Western Bulldogs

2 votes (32 disposals)

Rd 11 - v Fremantle

10 votes (35 disposals)

Rd 13 - v Geelong

4 votes (29 disposals)

Rd 14 - v Gold Coast

10 votes (43 disposals)

Rd 16 - v Hawthorn

10 votes (43 disposals)

Rd 18 - v St Kilda

10 votes (36 disposals)

Rd 19 - v Collingwood

3 votes (30 disposals)

Rd 20 - v GWS Giants

6 votes (28 disposals)

Rd 21 - v Adelaide

2 votes (26 disposals)

Rd 22 - v Carlton

2 votes (31 disposals)

Rd 23 - v Western Bulldogs

8 votes (34 disposals)

Wines, from Echuca, was selected by the Power with pick No.7 in the 2012 National Draft has played 180 games for Port Adelaide heading into tonight's qualifying final against Geelong at the Adelaide Oval.

Most betting agencies have Wines as the Brownlow Medal favourite.

B: Jake Lever, Steven May, Tom Stewart

HB: Bailey Dale, Aliir Aliir, Daniel Rich

C: Zach Merrett, Ollie Wines, Sam Walsh

HF: Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Hawkins, Christian Petracca

F: Toby Greene, Harry McKay, Tom Papley

R: Max Gawn (c), Jack Macrae, Clayton Oliver

I/C: Jack Steele, Nic Naitanui, Touk Miller, Darcy Parish

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