Port Adelaide confirms key forward Charlie Dixon has a broken leg — and is holding hope for ruckman Patrick Ryder to recover
PORT Adelaide has confirmed key forward Charlie Dixon has a broken right leg and won’t play again in 2018 but is still hopeful All-Australian ruckman Patrick Ryder could play against Collingwood in a must-win AFL game on Saturday.
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PORT Adelaide key forward Charlie Dixon has a broken right leg — rather than a badly sprained right ankle — and will not play again this AFL season.
But the Power (12-8) is still hopeful All-Australian ruckman Patrick Ryder will overcome a recurring left-hip strain to play a significant role in Saturday’s must-win clash with finals rival Collingwood at the MCG.
Dixon’s season was closed in a dramatic third term against West Coast at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening when the Power lost Ryder and young defender Dan Houston, reducing coach Ken Hinkley’s options to 19 men.
Port Adelaide’s 28-point lead was lost with West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern’s winning goal after the siren.
Dixon’s injury forces Port Adelaide into a major rethink of its attack for the vital clash with the Magpies.
Port Adelaide on Sunday reported Dixon’s fractured leg with medical chief Tim O’Leary saying: “Charlie has suffered a fractured right fibula which will require surgery. We are still working out a timeline for surgery but he won’t play again this year.”
Houston was taken to hospital after his heavy hit in a marking contest with former Port Adelaide teammate Brendon Ah Chee.
“Dan has been cleared of any major neck damage and went home (Saturday) night,” O’Leary said.
Ryder is listed for tests this week. If he is not passed fit, the Power will most likely call up untried ruckman Billy Frampton.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has Frampton, second-year midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper and young defender Riley Bonner to consider at selection as the Power chases critical wins in the remaining home-and — away clashes with Collingwood and Essendon.
“We have to manipulate our side as best we can,” Hinkley said. “Watts, Westhoff play as talls in the forward line; they are not Charlie Dixon types.
“But we’ll mix and match — and give Collingwood a different look. They won’t know what we are bringing.”
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au
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