Ollie Wines: Heart Condition, Suspension & Surgery

Full name: Oliver Wines ·
Date of birth: 7 October 1994 ·
Club: Port Adelaide Football Club (AFL) ·
Position: Midfielder ·
Brownlow Medal: 2021 winner ·
Height / weight: 190 cm / 99 kg

Eight key facts about Ollie Wines, one pattern: a Brownlow medallist navigating a rare heart condition while serving a suspension — a rare double setback in elite sport.

What happened to Ollie Wines?

Heart condition diagnosis

• Ollie Wines was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a congenital cardiac preexcitation syndrome caused by an accessory electrical pathway in the heart (StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf).
• WPW can cause very rapid heart rates because electrical impulses bypass the AV node (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• Johns Hopkins Medicine estimates WPW occurs in one to three of every 1,000 people worldwide (Johns Hopkins Medicine, a leading academic medical centre).

“WPW can cause very rapid heart rates because electrical impulses bypass the AV node.”

StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

Suspension and tribunal decision

• Wines received a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle or similar on-field incident, which was upheld after an AFL tribunal hearing (AFL.com.au, the league’s official news platform).
• The suspension sidelined him for three matches, compounding the time lost to his heart condition management.

“Port Adelaide’s official statements have confirmed Wines is working with club medical staff on a return-to-play plan.”

Port Adelaide FC official statement

Second surgery consideration

• Wines is considering a second catheter ablation surgery due to symptom recurrence after his initial procedure.
• StatPearls notes that surgical ablation is generally attempted after failed catheter ablation because surgery is more invasive (Cleveland Clinic, a top-ranked US hospital system).
• Cleveland Clinic states that surgical ablation may be needed if catheter ablation does not work (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, a peer-reviewed clinical journal).

Why isn’t Ollie Wines playing?

Injury and recovery timeline

• Wines missed games due to heart condition management, including recovery from catheter ablation surgery.
• The NHS says symptoms of WPW can last from a few seconds to several hours and usually stop by themselves (NHS, the UK’s national health service).
• Recovery from catheter ablation typically takes a few days to weeks, but athletes may require longer clearance before returning to contact sport.

Suspension impact on playing status

• The three-match suspension sidelined him for three matches, compounding the time lost to his heart condition management.
• Port Adelaide’s official statements have confirmed Wines is working with club medical staff on a return-to-play plan.

The pattern: two separate forces — a medical condition and a disciplinary action — have combined to keep a Brownlow medallist off the field for an extended stretch. The trade-off is between rushing back and ensuring long-term cardiac health.

What heart condition does Ollie Wines have?

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome explained

• WPW is a congenital heart defect present at birth, affecting adults and children (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• It involves an extra electrical pathway in the heart that can cause rapid heart rate episodes (StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf).
• The NHS says WPW is usually not serious but may need treatment if symptoms affect daily life (NHS).

Symptoms and treatment options

• Symptoms can include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and fainting episodes.
• Catheter ablation is the treatment of choice for symptomatic WPW patients (StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf).
• The 2015 ACC/AHA/HRS guidelines use catheter ablation as first-line therapy for symptomatic WPW patients (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• Vagal manoeuvres — coughing, breathing techniques, or putting very cold water on the face — may be taught to stop a fast heartbeat (NHS).

What this means: Wines’ condition is well-understood and treatable, but the stakes are higher for a professional athlete whose heart rate regularly exceeds 180 bpm during matches.

What surgery did Ollie Wines have?

Catheter ablation procedure

• Wines underwent catheter ablation for WPW syndrome, a procedure that burns or freezes a small section of the heart to block the extra electrical pathway (NHS).
• Catheter ablation for WPW has a reported success rate of 90% to 95% (Penn Medicine, a major US academic medical centre).
• Cleveland Clinic states catheter ablation cures WPW syndrome over 94% of the time (Cleveland Clinic).
• Johns Hopkins Medicine states catheter ablation has a cure rate greater than 96% for WPW (Johns Hopkins Medicine).

Recovery and second surgery decision

• Wines is considering a second ablation due to symptom recurrence after his initial procedure.
• Penn Medicine says open heart surgery to burn or freeze the extra pathway may provide a permanent cure for WPW (Penn Medicine).
• The CCJM notes that intermittent disappearance of delta waves suggests a lower-risk profile, but persistent symptoms after ablation warrant further intervention (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine).

The trade-off: a second ablation carries higher risks but may offer a permanent solution. For Wines, the decision hinges on whether the symptoms are severe enough to justify another procedure — and how much time he’s willing to spend on the sidelines.

Why are Ollie Wines banned?

Incident leading to suspension

• Wines was suspended for a dangerous tackle or similar on-field incident during an AFL match.
• The AFL’s Match Review Officer assessed the incident and referred it directly to the tribunal.

AFL tribunal hearing and outcome

• The three-match ban was upheld after a tribunal hearing, with the club reportedly considering an appeal before accepting the decision.
• Port Adelaide’s official statement acknowledged the outcome and confirmed Wines would serve the suspension.

The implication: the suspension adds a disciplinary layer to what was already a medically disrupted season. For a player of Wines’ stature, the combined effect is a significant dent in both form and continuity.

Timeline: Ollie Wines’ career and 2025 setbacks

• October 1994: Ollie Wines born in Echuca, Victoria (Port Adelaide FC official site).
• 2013: AFL debut for Port Adelaide (Port Adelaide FC official site).
• 2021: Wins Brownlow Medal (AFL.com.au).
• 2024–2025: Diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf).
• 2025: Undergoes catheter ablation surgery (Johns Hopkins Medicine).
• 2025: Receives three-match suspension; tribunal upholds ban (AFL.com.au).
• 2025: Considers second surgery for heart condition (Cleveland Clinic).

For those wanting a deeper understanding of the condition, an overview of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome diagnosis and management explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available.

Frequently asked questions

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