Wines barred from training, facing AFL sanction over COVID breach

Port Adelaide has thrown vice-captain Ollie Wines at the mercy of the AFL after admitting he broke coronavirus protocols.

Port is appealing for leniency from the AFL ahead of a league ruling on the competition’s first breach of fresh coronavirus protocols announced last month.

Wines gave an interview to a television network on Wednesday outside his house, breaking AFL rules dictating interviews must be held at a player’s club or remotely via video links.

Wines could be suspended or fined for what Port’s general manager of football Chris Davies described as an “inadvertent” breach.

“Ollie needs to own the fact that it happened,” Davis told reporters on Thursday.

Port knew the interview with the Seven Network was scheduled but assumed it would abide by the league’s protocols.

“This was a personal deal that Ollie has with that particular news organisation,” Davies said.

“The club was aware that the interview was going to happen and so we could have been clearer in terms of knowing where that should have occurred.

“Ollie should have known what the protocols are so this situation should have been avoided … this is something that we could have done a whole heap better.”

Davies said the coronavirus risk from Wines’ interview was “no greater than a player going to a supermarket”.

“But at the same we also understand it’s a breach,” he said.

“The AFL will need to deal with what’s in front of them and make an assessment.

“We’ll make representation in the best regard we possibly can to make sure the circumstances around it are mitigated.

“Ultimately we’re not trying to shift blame here. This is something that we could have done better.

“(But) I can’t imagine that the AFL need to make examples of anyone.”

Wines was barred from Port’s training on Thursday morning and would have a test for COVID-19 during the day.

The midfielder won’t be allowed at the club until a negative result from the test was known.

“Whether Ollie is playing or not on the weekend, not being able to train today is a significant impact for both the individual and also the team,” Davies said.

“He’s disappointed … and he won’t be back until we and the AFL are satisfied that he doesn’t have anything that is going to impact on anyone else.”

Wines missed Port’s round-one win as he recovered from a pre-season shoulder dislocation.

He was understood to have been selected for the season resumption. Port will officially announce its team on Thursday night.