Connor Rozee relishing the chance to crumb to Charlie Dixon now the key forward is back in the Port Adelaide team

Tom Jonas explains what Charlie Dixon does to the team, why Connor Rozee is licking his lips, how Paddy Ryder and Justin Westhoff took their axing and more on The Lowdown Podcast this week.

Port Adelaide players swamp Charlie Dixon after he kicked a goal in his AFL return on Saturday night. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz (Getty).

• Rookie set to get nod ahead of Power club champions
• Ryder to fight for recall, but will have interest interstate
• Tredrea: Is Ken’s Mr Fix It best defender in AFL?
• Powerful response to Hinkley’s shake-up
• Dixon’s many happy returns for Port

Port Adelaide co-captain Tom Jonas says his team walks taller with Charlie Dixon back in the side and Connor Rozee was licking his lips after Saturday night’s win over Geelong.

Dixon played his first AFL game of the season on the weekend as the Power beat the ladder leading Cats by 11 points at Adelaide Oval.

“200cm and 115kg, when blokes like that are rolling around they generally have a bit of aura … especially when he’s rolling into training on his Harley,” Jonas told The Lowdown Podcast.

Connor Rozee is relishing the chance to rove to Charlie Dixon. Picture: Daniel Kalisz (Getty)

“Between the Harley and kicking big goals and taking contested marks it’s pretty easy to jump on his back and let him carry the group.

“He gets the boys up, you walk taller with him around you, he cares so much for the group he’s someone you always want in your side.

“It was a fair trot to get around him when he kicked that goal but there was no way we weren’t doing it.

“He straightens you up and we’ve had some good options down there this year but he’s a man mountain, you can’t move him.

“And Connor Rozee actually said to me after the game ‘geez how good is it crumbing to Charlie Dixon, you know where it’s going every time’.

“And that basically sums it up right there.”

Coach Ken Hinkley was vindicated for his brave call in dropping Justin Westhoff and Paddy Ryder for the crunch game rather than persist for another week before playing the 15th-placed Bulldogs.

“I don't think we’re in an environment where you can wait for a week,” Jonas said.

“We were sitting 6-6 before that game and if we lose all of a sudden you’re up against it, and now we’re in a markedly different position and go into the Bullies game full of confidence.”

Jonas said Ryder, 31, and Westhoff, 32, had taken their demotion on the chin.

“Like the champions they are, Westy is the most selfless fella I’ve met and Paddy is a close second, those boys always put the team first,” Jonas said.

“They feel the pressure, you know if you’re not in great nick and are under the pump a bit, and it’s almost a bit of relief sometimes, you can have a week to freshen up or find a bit of form in the Magpies.

“Those boys just want to do whatever’s best for our team.”

Port Adelaide players swamp Charlie Dixon after he kicked a goal in his AFL return on Saturday night. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz (Getty).

With Ryder out of the team it left Scott Lycett to play as the sole ruckman and he delivered career-high hit-outs, disposals, clearances, contested possessions and intercept possessions.

“He (Lycett) was huge, he had sole responsibility and really took the opportunity with both hands, can’t fault him, the performance was unreal and now he’s got to back that up this week,” Jonas said.

“Kenny said it was the toughest week in his time at Port Adelaide and we’ve had some pretty tough weeks.

“He said it to the boys but also made it known in social circles, when you drop two club champions it’s obviously going to be a big deal and you’re going to take a lot into consideration when doing that, but I think he was proven right on the weekend, the boys who came in did him proud and justified their selection.

Scott Lycett of the Power busts a path past young Cat Jordan Clark at Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

“It was a strong team performance, that doesn’t mean those boys aren’t in our best 22, obviously you’re going to want a Ryder and a Westhoff running around when they’re in their best form, they just need to get there.”

With Hinkley confirming Ryder, Westhoff and midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper would all play in the SANFL this weekend, the door is open for Billy Frampton and Peter Ladhams to earn another call-up after Dougal Howard was suspended for one game.

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