Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Charlie Dixon would get a game with every AFL club

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Charlie Dixon remains one of the Power’s most important players — despite his goal drought — and would earn a spot with any AFL team.

Charlie Dixon competes against North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has defended key forward Charlie Dixon’s goal kicking drought and says he is still a good enough player to make every side in the AFL.

Dixon, who was the Power’s leading goal kicker with 49 last season, has kicked only five goals from eight games this season — all singles — and been kept goalless in three games.

Adelaide’s Daniel Talia shut him down in the Power’s Showdown 44 win.

But Hinkley said Dixon would still be a first-choice player at all AFL clubs and added value beyond his goal kicking with his pressure acts, help out in the ruck during Paddy Ryder’s injury spell, presence in attack and ability to set up goals for his teammates.

“The work that he does for us, as a competitor first and foremost, is vital to our success,” Hinkley said on Adelaide radio. “Yes, we’d all love him to be hitting the scoreboard.

“Everyone wants him to hit the scoreboard but none more than Charlie himself.

“But he’s got a role that he plays within out side that’s more than just goals.

“Yes, we’d like him to be a couple of more.

“But there would not be a team in the AFL that wouldn't pick Charlie Dixon in it.”