Key forward Charlie Dixon is fighting fit and leading the way at Port Adelaide ahead of a big 2020 season
Port Adelaide assistant coach Brett Montgomery can’t wait to see “competitive beast” Charlie Dixon back in the Power’s line-up this season after injury derailed his 2019 campaign.
Port Adelaide
Don't miss out on the headlines from Port Adelaide. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Jonas hails top Power recruits Bergman and Georgiades
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Charlie Dixon has regained his mojo and is ready to become the “competitive beast’’ who can drive Port Adelaide’s charge to a first finals appearance in three years, according to assistant coach Brett Montgomery.
As the Power players were put through a gruelling, physical training session at Alberton Oval on Wednesday, which forced Dan Houston from the field with a sore knee, Montgomery said powerhouse key forward Dixon was in completely different shape – physically and mentally – than a year ago when he was returning from a serious leg injury.
He said Dixon had not only been a leader at training but in the clubhouse, and that his presence was driving higher standards.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly.
“He’s training well, looking healthy, feeling good, up and about, and those types of things are great for not only a leader of your club, but a big personality and character within the four walls as well, which footy clubs need,’’ Montgomery said.
“We got nothing out of him this time last year, he was really up against it, but this year he’s done the work.’’
Dixon, 29 and out of contract at the end of the season after signing a five-year deal when he joined Port from Gold Coast in 2015, played just nine AFL games last season as he made his way back from a horror broken leg he sustained in August 2018.
The leg injury, which sidelined him for 10 months, was so severe that Dixon – the Power's leading goalkicker in 2017 with 49 – said his doctors had “never seen anything like it”.
Dixon played his first AFL game of 2019 in round 14 but was sent back to the SANFL five weeks later for form reasons before regaining his AFL spot.
He kicked only 13 goals in his nine AFL games.
The @PAFC test of strength. @theTiser @TheTiserSport pic.twitter.com/T3rx5SuxNb
— Andrew Capel (@andrewcapel) January 14, 2020
“I think we all judged him a little harshly last year, based on two SANFL games and only four weeks of training leading up to that,’’ Montgomery said.
“So, he clearly wasn’t the finished product when we rolled him out and in his defence he got back out there as quick as he could to fill a need for us.
“At least he gets a full run at it this year.’’
Dixon, a standout physical specimen at 200cm and 105kg, will be Port’s go-to-man in attack this year, but Montgomery said he wouldn’t be judged solely on his goals return but his competitiveness and ability to create openings for teammates.
“We need that competitive beast in the forward line,’’ Montgomery said.
“We don’t put a (goals) number on it, we certainly don’t put expectations on leading our goalkicking or being our only target.
“He’s one of an outfit down there, but we do need a competitive beast and that’s the player he is.
MORE PORT ADELAIDE NEWS
Who’s coming out of contract at Port this year?
It’s on: Power and Crows throw support behind All Stars clash
Port Adelaide’s top 20 players of the decade
There’s reason to be excited about the Power in 2020
“If he hasn’t been able to put that together there has generally been a reason, because every time I have seen a willing Charlie Dixon he’s been able to deliver that in spades and I can’t wait to see him out there playing again.’’
Montgomery said the playing group had returned to training fit and re-energised after their three-week Christmas break, which he described as “the best thing that has happened to the game for both staff and players’’.
Prior to last year, players and staff were given just two weeks off over Christmas.
Midfielder/defender Houston was the only casualty from Wednesday’s tough, physical session but Montgomery said he appeared to have just suffered a knock to the knee and that there would be no long-term concerns.
“He iced it and was pretty happy that it wasn’t anything significant,’’ Montgomery said.
Captain Tom Jonas is on light duties as he recovers from a syndesmosis ankle injury, but Montgomery said he was expected to resume full training in two weeks.