Port Adelaide star Ollie Wines came up in trade whispers last off-season amid interest from a number of Victorian suitors.
Despite re-signing with the Power in 2018 on a four-year deal, clubs from the 25-year old's home state reportedly came calling over talk that he could be pried away from Alberton.
Essendon great Tim Watson reported at the time that Carlton and Essendon were interested in the midfielder's services.
But speaking on Fox Footy, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley hosed down such speculation.
“Don’t even believe half of the stuff that you read and listen to the people who know,” Hinkley told Fox Footy.
“And I think the key message for me is those who don’t know, they are unaware and uninformed, and I don’t think you should comment too much on that.
“Ollie been part of the furniture since I’ve been here. He loves it and he understood the decision by the club for the captaincy stuff, he’s behind that.”
Responding to Hinkley's comments, Watson assures that Wines spoke to two Victorian clubs - Carlton and Essendon.
“Half the stuff you read may be incorrect, but the other half will be correct. The stuff that I talked about regarding Ollie Wines and talking to Carlton and Essendon is correct,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“Ken (Hinkley) will defend his player as you’d expect him to do under those circumstances and he’ll play it down as much as he possibly can.
“It (Wines leaving) didn’t happen, it doesn’t matter now … but it was real and there were discussions at that time – 100 per cent. You can take that to the bank.
Wines was announced as Port Adelaide's first ever co-captains alongside Tom Jonas in 2019, but was demoted to vice-captain in 2020 as Jonas assumed sole responsibility.
The tough onballer missed Round 1 after having shoulder surgery in the off-season but is on track to return for Round 2's Showdown against Adelaide.
