Brownlow Medal winner Ollie Wines was toasted on Sunday night, and delivered a sensational speech after receiving the Charlie.
The Port Adelaide star claimed the Brownlow after earning the equal-most votes ever (36) sharing the record set by Dustin Martin in 2017.
After receiving his Medal from two-time recipient Nat Fyfe from Fremantle Dockers, Wines spoke on stage about his footy roots, and how he admired former Blues star Andrew Walker who also hailed from Echuca.
“Andrew Walker I grew up idolising – a local boy who got drafted to Carlton,” Wines said.
“One of my fondest memories of him was my dad used to be a runner for Moama seniors in the Murray League. On the way back when I was a young tacker we used to stop and get a six-pack and a bit of pork crackle for me.
“I used to ring up (radio host) Rex Hunt and ask about Andrew Walker’s stats. I always got through every week. Rex would tell me Andrew Walker’s stats.
“I think as a young fella from a country town like that you want to follow your idols and those guys were the best examples. It would’ve been in the early 2000s when Rex was still calling. I’d get through and talk about Andrew Walker and my Blues.”
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Wines was gracious in recognising his teammates and peers for his “team award”, including club president David Koch, coach Ken Hinkley and veteran Port Adelaide leader Travis Boak.
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Wines showcased his sense of humour too – just one reason he’s one of the most likable players in the game.
At one point in his speech he had the audience in stitches when he teased Port Adelaide teammate Tom Clurey. Wines thanked his teammates who had joined him in Perth for the Brownlow Medal ceremony after hearing that he was “a bit of a chance”, before throwing a cheeky shot at his “best mate”, Clurey.
“There were a lot of guys that weren’t a chance of polling votes, ….Tom Clurey,” Wines said, much to the amusement of those in attendance.
“Thanks to Tom. He’s probably my best mate and we were drafted together. Thanks, Tom. He asked for the after-party invite so he’s got that.”
Wines also cracked a joke about Koch’s rivalry with former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, both of whom were unable to travel to Perth for the Brownlow Medal or AFL grand final due to WA’s strict border rules amid the pandemic.
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“I know Kochie tried to get over here tonight and wasn’t allowed in. He’d be a bit flat because Eddie couldn’t get in but he couldn’t either,” Wines joked.
“He sent me a few messages tonight and he’s been super for our footy club. When I was drafted, Ken [Hinkley], Kochie and Hinkley were the three in charge and what they’ve done to our footy club and the direction they’ve turned us in is enormous.”
Koch shared a video call with Wines after his win and tweeted his congratulations to the Power star.
“At the end of a s—ty week [Ollie Wines] and [Travis Boak] represent what [Port Adelaide Football Club] is all about… elite both on and off the field,” Koch tweeted.
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“I cannot believe it,” Koch was heard telling Wines on the video call.
“Fantastic, we’ve got the whole family here.
“You spoke so well. We are incredibly proud of you – the first Port Adelaide Brownlow Medallist. Bloody hell… so proud of you.”
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In his speech, Wines also referenced his family’s devotion to footy when he was growing up, and on 3AW on Monday morning, his mother Jane said he hadn’t changed from the excited kid who used to ring up the radio station to chat to Rex Hunt.
“His heart is as big as Phar Lap,” she told 3AW.
“He hasn’t changed one bit. He’s just grown and grown. He’s a hard worker.
“He really deserved this. I loved his speech. It’s all about the team, it truly is with Ollie.”
Wines began celebrating his achievement with a clink of his schooner of beer with AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder on stage in Perth, as around the country footy fans lauded Wines’ win as well as his speech.
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