Port Adelaide newcomer Ollie Wines didn’t hear the hype.

While his landing was trumpeted as the arrival of a new AFL star, the 18-year-old kept a level head.

“I don’t really read a lot of media so I try and keep out of that,” Wines told reporters on Tuesday.

Wines blew any desire for a low profile with an eye-catching AFL debut in the Power’s 79-point thumping of Melbourne on Sunday.

Wines’ 24 disposals included 16 contested possessions. He took seven marks, laid three tackles and kicked a goal – a performance rewarded with the first Rising Star nomination of the season.

“It was a very good opportunity for me, being my first game, and to play on the MCG was really special so I cherish the game,” he said.

The strongly-built midfielder from Echuca, a heritage town on the Victorian banks of the Murray River, wasn’t fazed on debut.

“I just put my head over the ball and that is how I get my possessions,” said Wines, taken by Port with their number seven selection at last year’s national draft.

Unlike most draftees, Wines came to Port ready-made – weighing 89 kilograms and 187cm tall.

“I’m fortunate enough to have a rather large build,” he said.

“So it’s just maturing that and making sure my recovery is alright and my training intensity is up.

“They are long weeks and that is probably the hardest thing on me at the moment, getting through them and being so tired at night.”

Wines said Port players were rapt with their season-opening victory, but coach Ken Hinkley quickly turned their attention to Saturday night’s home clash against Greater Western Sydney.

“Ken demands everything of us,” he said.

“And he was pretty straight down the barrel yesterday in saying that we had to move on to the next game. We know it’s a long season.”