PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Jarrad Schofield is excited to coach co-captain Ollie Wines for the first time when Brisbane host Port at the Gabba on Saturday evening.

Schofield has been pleased with how the midfield group has played in the opening two rounds of the season and says the inclusion of Wines adds to his side’s flexibility.

“I’m really excited to coach Ollie for the first time on the weekend,” Schofield said at a press conference at Adelaide airport.

“Being a co-captain we are looking for his leadership but obviously he is a quality midfielder, so we are rapt to have him back.

“He’s ready to play, so he will play the minutes we prescribe and he will play as normal.

“He’s one of many midfielders we have and we will play with flexibility in those roles.

“It won’t affect any of the midfielders, he will slot in just like the other players have and play his role.

“He won’t play purely on-ball, he’ll play various positions – that’s what we’re about, is having flexibility.

The midfield coach is confident about Wines’ fitness after being put through a rigorous training load over the past fortnight.

“We have gradually progressed him,” he said.

“The other day in match-play, Ollie actually went looking for the contest which was good.

“He had a couple of contests where he really tested it, so he has tested it along the way and he’s right to go.”

The 44-year-old said while a lot of the focus has been on the return of Port’s co-captain, the team is just looking to continue to build on the momentum they have created at the start of the year.

“We’ve just got to keep building on the form that we’ve already produced,” he said.

“Build on the momentum, come with a heavily contested game, and play with that bold and aggressive type of play.

“If we bring that, I’m sure we will get the result we are looking for.

“We understand that the game is won and lost in the contest, so we’ve got to make sure we bring that game.

“As the midfield coach, I will be asking our guys in the midfield to make sure that it starts from there.

Port and the Lions meet at the Gabba at 6.55pm ACDT on Saturday 6 April.