Jan 28th, 2019

Jan 28th, 2019

Star midfielder Ollie Wines reportedly had permission from Port Adelaide to be water-skiing when he suffered a shoulder injury that has disrupted his preparations for the start of the 2019 AFL season.

The 24-year-old was injured while water skiing near the Murray River town of Mannum on Saturday afternoon, and according to a report from The Age, the Power were happy to allow their midfield star to partake in a potentially dangerous activity.

"Wines grew up in Echuca so has been around water sports for most of his life and is a very experienced water-skier," the report said.

"It's understood Port were therefore comfortable with arguably their best player partaking in what can be a dangerous activity, with the club of the view that players need to be allowed leisure time."

Wines is arguably Port Adelaide's most important player following the trade of Chad Wingard (AAP)

Despite the injury setback, Wines trained with teammates at Alberton two days the incident, and is set to undergo scans this week to determine the extent of the injury to his shoulder.

The sight of Wines running laps without strapping on either shoulder has gone some way toward easing fears he sustained severe damage in the fall.

Club great Kane Cornes described the injury as "significant" on Twitter, but the Power will not make any further comment until they receive scan results, most likely on Tuesday.

Port can ill afford to have the bullocking midfielder sidelined by surgery so close to the AFL season.

The 24-year-old is a vital cog in Ken Hinkley's midfield mix and is widely viewed as the next captain of the club after Travis Boak stepped down from the role.

Wines, who hails from Victorian, turned his back on overtures from AFL clubs in his home state in June to sign a contract extension that ties him to the Power until the end of the 2022 season.

©AAP2019