The change of language from Port Adelaide star Ollie Wines regarding his contract over the last week is concerning according to former Power star Kane Cornes.
Wines, who is out of contract at the end of the season, told Fox Sports News yesterday that he’s “not comfortable” signing a new deal at Alberton at the moment.
“As far as I’m concerned I’ve got eight months to go (on my contract) and I’ll do everything I can for those eight months,” he said.
“I’ll look to sign when I can, but at the moment I’m just focusing on getting my body right for Round 1 and playing some good footy.”
Cornes told SEN Breakfast that something must have happened for the 23-year-old to change his view.
“About a week ago he said that he was really happy and that he loves the club and he doesn’t expect any issues with it,” Cornes said.
“The language that he’s used, perhaps it says to me, is there a St Kilda or is there a club with money that has heard his comments from a week ago and said, we’ve got to act now and offer this young man an offer that he just can’t refuse.
“Is it a seven-year 1.2 (million dollar) Dustin Martin-style of deal? Now that’s big money for what Ollie Wines has done in the game but (he’s) future captain of Port Adelaide, (he’s) hard and tough and give you quality.
“Something has changed in the last three or four days for him to change that language.”
Wines, who amassed a career-best 628 disposals last season and finished sixth in the club champion award, said he needed more time to weigh up his future.
“There’s always stuff to consider when you’re going to sign a contract. You’ve got to tie yourself down for a few years, so there’s always people to talk to and things to think about,” he said.
“That time will come and it’ll happen sooner rather than later.”
Listen to Kane Cornes chat on SEN Breakfast below!