PORT Adelaide co-captain Ollie Wines admits he erred playing in the AFL straight after a long injury layoff rather than build his match fitness at the lower level.

Wines won't make the same mistake twice, the 24-year-old making his SANFL debut for the Port Adelaide Magpies when they take on Sturt at Alberton Oval on Saturday.

It will be Wines' first game in six weeks, after scans revealed he played in the Power's round seven loss to Collingwood with a broken leg.

FULL INJURY LIST Who's ruled out and who's a test?

Wines had a disrupted start to the season when he needed shoulder surgery after a water-skiing accident on Australia Day.

He returned for the Power's round three loss to Brisbane, but on Friday, said in hindsight he would have been better off having a run in the reserves to be better prepared.

It does take a couple of games to get going, so we feel it's better to do it in the SANFL than the AFL - Ollie Wines

"I probably learnt from my first mishap earlier in the year where I missed the first two games and came straight back in," Wines said.

"If I had my time again, which I have now, I would've preferred a run in the SANFL to prepare me.

"Whilst I could have a certain impact, it was subdued a little bit without having match fitness.

"Myself and (coach Ken Hinkley) have learnt from the first time going around where the AFL is such a step up from straight-line running and whatever else you can simulate in terms of training to the actual game.

"I was pretty solid and had some good games, but it does take a couple of games to get going, so we feel it's better to do it in the SANFL than the AFL."

Wines had his foot stepped on during the Power's round six win against North Melbourne, but it wasn't until during the Collingwood game the following week that he realised the injury was more serious than first thought.

The Power have the bye this weekend, with Wines hopeful he can return for their crucial game with Fremantle in Perth in round 13.

He will be joined in the Magpies by key forward Charlie Dixon, who is playing his first competitive football in 10 months since badly breaking his right leg and dislocating his ankle against West Coast in round 21 last year.

"You can get down on yourself being in rehab that long, and he has had two or three mishaps through his recovery where he's required more surgery," Wines said.

"Each roadbump sets you back a bit, but he's been really positive throughout and over the last two or three weeks where he's been really close, I've seen this vibrant energy come out of him.

"He's in probably the best condition I've ever seen him.

"He needs that little bit of match fitness, but in terms of straight-line running, his physique, what he's doing on the training track is superb.

"With a run or two before he gets into the AFL, he's going to be very dangerous in the second half of the year."

Find AFL Exchange on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.