Port Adelaide pair backed to extend decorated careers
Ollie Wines and Darcy Byrne-Jones set to defy age, with coach Josh Carr locking in their futures beyond 2026 to anchor Port Adelaide’s finals push.
Port Adelaide veterans Ollie Wines and Darcy Byrne-Jones will extend their AFL careers beyond 2026, with coach Josh Carr locking in both off-contract stalwarts. Wines, a Brownlow medallist with 284 games, is on track to become the third Power player to reach 300 games. Byrne-Jones’s leadership remains vital as the club’s midseason resurgence gathers pace.
Wines, 32, has been Port Adelaide’s midfield engine for over a decade, winning the 2021 Brownlow Medal and anchoring the Power’s contested play. His durability and consistency make him a cornerstone for a squad transitioning to younger talent. Byrne-Jones, 31, has evolved into a defensive general, providing structure and mentorship to teammates.
Both players have redefined what it means to age in elite football, defying typical career trajectories. Their ability to adapt—Wines shifting from high-pressure midfield roles to more strategic duties, Byrne-Jones tightening his defensive positioning—has kept them elite well into their 30s. The extensions underscore a league-wide trend where clubs are prioritizing experience in an era of shorter player tenures.
