PORT Adelaide star Ollie Wines admits he’s currently “not comfortable” signing a new deal at the Power, but predicts that contract developments will “happen sooner rather than later”.

Wines, one of the AFL’s best contested ball winners, comes out of contract at the end of this season, with rival clubs — especially from the midfielder’s home state of Victoria — potentially eyeing his services the longer he remains unsigned.

Asked if he was any closer to a resolution, Wines told Fox Sports News: “I wouldn’t say I need a resolution, it’s just I’m not comfortable signing 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.

Round 18

“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.”

Ollie Wines was a standout at Port Adelaide's intra-club at Alberton. Picture: Tom Huntley Source: News Corp Australia

Wines, recently re-appointed as Port’s vice-captain for the 2018 season, said he needed more time to weigh up his footy future more thoroughly.

“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.”

Several promising young players, including Jake Lever (Adelaide to Melbourne) and Josh Schache (Brisbane Lions to Western Bulldogs), have returned to their home states in recent seasons to continue their respective footy careers.

But Wines said the ‘go-home factor’ wasn’t an issue at the Power.

“The club I’m at is very welcoming. They’ve done everything for me and my family and they do everything for interstate players coming in,” he said.

Ollie Wines is part of Port Adelaide’s leadership group. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

“From our perspective there’s not really a go-home factor because a lot of our boys are interstate and we’re a family as it is over here.”

Conversely, the Power have attracted several mature-age players to the club over recent years, highlighted by the acquisitions of Tom Rockliff, Jack Watts and Steve Motlop last October.

Wines said all of the club’s recruits had settled in really well.

“It doesn’t take too much teaching. They’ve just got to pick up how we go about things — and they’ve certainly done that,” he said.

Wines missed out on selection for the Power’s AFLX campaign, which kicks off against Geelong at Hindmarsh Stadium on Thursday night.

“It’s probably not built for me. There’s not a lot of contested-style play, it’s more for those outside, quick guys that can get up and down the ground,” Wines said.

“But I’m really excited to see how our squad goes.”