Port Adelaide powerhouse Charlie Dixon has let the rest of the AFL know his best football is still to come
Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon is ready and raring to go in season 2020 after completing a full pre-season for the first time in years.
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Powerhouse Port Adelaide key forward Charlie Dixon has sent an ominous warning to rivals, declaring his best football is still in front of him.
The 29-year-old former Gold Coast Sun, who falls out of contract at the end of the season, said his rebuilt right leg had fully recovered and that he was looking forward to taking his game to the next level this year after managing just nine games and kicking 13 goals last season.
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Dixon – so important to the Power’s forward structure – has enjoyed a rare full pre-season of training and said that while he is “a little bit heavier” (110kg) than last year’s playing weight, his skinfold levels had improved significantly.
“This is one of the first times I have been able to do a full pre-season, so my body’s feeling good,” said Dixon, who suffered a serious leg injury against West Coast in August 2018 that sidelined him for 10 months.
“The time I had off has helped my body heal a bit and I’m a bit leaner and stronger.
“Over my break I normally let myself blow out a fair bit, but this time I tried to stay at the 110kg mark and keep myself fit by training and keeping myself active because I didn’t have much of a year last year.
“I had a goal of where I wanted to be when I came back from pre-season, which was to be fit, do a full pre-season and be able to produce on game day week-in, week-out, and not fall over the edge.
“It was a matter of doing everything I could to come into the season and be confident in my body and with what I can produce.”
The 200cm Dixon’s intense off-season included spending time training in the United States with star veteran Travis Boak.
The forward line enforcer, who has kicked 118 goals in 70 games in four seasons for Port after being a high-priced recruit from Gold Coast, is hoping for a career-best season in a contract year.
“I haven’t felt this way in a while,” said Dixon while joining his teammates on Tuesday in conducting school visits around the state spreading the healthy lifestyle message as part of the Power Community Youth Program.
“My 2017 season (49 goals) was my best to date, but I think I’ve got stuff that I can improve on from that year.
“My running capacity, bodywork and getting back to my (goalkicking) routine with set shots are things I’m focusing on.”
Dixon, who has been a star on the training track and said he would play in Friday’s internal trial at Alberton Oval, said his well documented mental battles were an ongoing challenge, but that he was “10 times” better off than at the same time last year when he was stuck in rehab as his leg mended.
“Being back playing footy again, I’m feeling good,” he said.
“But it’s been up and down – that’s the way football is.
“Nothing is going to go your way every time so you have to fight your way through things.
“Sometimes it feels like there’s more downs than ups, but I'm pushing through that.
“I’m definitely in a better place now because I'm training and able to keep my mind busy and not dwelling on things too much, I’m living in the now.’’
Dixon admitted being out of contract at the end of the season had played on his mind.
“I’m 29, turn 30 this year, and while I think I can play for another three or four years if my body holds up, you think, ‘am I going to have a spot in the team, can I still produce on game day?’,” he said, revealing negotiations on a new deal had yet to begin.
“There are all these questions you ask yourself when you get older and see these young blokes come through and knock on the door.
“No-one’s ever safe, you can’t get comfortable, but I reckon I’ve got a few more years left in me.’’
Dixon said he had been impressed with Port’s new batch of draftees, particularly athletic forward Mitch Georgiades.
“He’s flying over the top of my head taking marks, he’s going to be a special player,” Dixon said.
“We’ve just got another really good group of young lads coming through and I'm very excited to see what they can produce this year.’’