The last fortnight has given Ollie Wines a sweet taste of his AFL future, quickly followed by a bitter dose of reality.
While the Port Adelaide star admits to dreaming of what might happen one day, his focus is no further ahead than on trying to beat Gold Coast this Sunday in Shanghai.
Two matches ago, the 22-year-old captained Port for the first time when Travis Boak was injured and led the Power to a win over Brisbane.
This is Wines' first year in the Port leadership group and he is expected be their next captain.
Then came last week, when they hosted West Coast and led them in most statistics - dominating the inside 50s by a whopping 68-39 and boasting five more scoring shots - yet still lost by 10 points.
The Suns are also brimming with confidence after last weekend's big win over Geelong.
"If it does happen one day, I will be over the moon," Wines said.
"But at this stage, with the competition so close, I don't like looking ahead.
"There are a lot of hard games to play and I have responsibilities as vice-captain to fulfil."
Wines said the Eagles loss hurt, calling it an opportunity lost. Instead of flying at 5-2, they are 4-3 and middle of the ladder.
"We put ourselves in a position where not many teams lose, with those statistics on your side," he said.
"That was an opportunity to really stake our claim."
Wines has flourished since his much-publicised chat with Ken Hinkley towards the end of last season, when the coach put the acid on the star midfielder.
Former Port captain Warren Tredrea, covering the Shanghai game for Channel Nine, said there is no doubt who will take over when Boak's time comes.
"He's the heir apparent to Boak," Tredrea said.
"When Ken needs a go-to guy in the centre square, it's Robbie Gray and Ollie Wines.
Sunday's game is not only historic for the AFL, but also a milestone for Boak and Hinkley.
It will be Boak's 100th game as captain and Hinkley's 100th as coach.
Hinkley loves Boak like a son and said he sets a fine example for Wines to follow as an aspiring leader.
"It's a reasonable thing to put on the agenda," Hinkley said when asked about Wines potentially becoming captain.
"But Ollie, as a young vice-captain, he has a captain who's leading the way."
Share
