As a 17-year-old making his North Warrnambool Eagles’ senior debut, his first hit-out was marred by injury.

“I played the first half or three quarters, but then I had stress fractures in my leg, so I missed eight weeks,” he said.

His team was little better off, regularly getting thumped by its Hampden league rivals.

But things have turned around drastically for both:  the 29-year-old onballer is set to become the first footballer to play 200 senior games at the North Warrnambool Eagles, who are unbeaten on top of the ladder.

“We’ve managed to keep a few players ... and now we’re much better,” Wines said.

“There’s a few that have stuck around and helped us build a team.”

Playing alongside brothers Adam and Luke has been a highlight for the Eagles’ acting captain, but he hopes to add a premiership to his career highs.

Wines has endured three losing preliminary finals – going down by margins of 52 points (2012), 69 (2013) and 25 (2014) – but hopes the 2016 campaign will bring about a change in fortunes.

“I don’t think we’ve been ‘in’ a preliminary final yet,” he said.

Eagles co-coach Graeme Twaddle praised Wines for his loyalty to the club and his fierce commitment.

“He plays that hard, tough brand of football and he’s always at the coal-face,” Twaddle said.

“He gets battered and bruised every week, but somehow he gets his body up to play the following week.”