Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon has allayed fears over back injury by declaring availability for JLT Community Series clash in Perth
PORT Adelaide key forward Charlie Dixon has allayed any fears over his back injury by declaring he will be available for the JLT Community Series.
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PORT Adelaide key forward Charlie Dixon has allayed any fears over his back injury by declaring he will be available for the JLT Community Series.
Dixon — added to the Power’s leadership group after a career-best season last year that netted 49 goals and 149 marks — was a late withdrawal from last Saturday’s internal trial at Alberton Oval after reporting back soreness.
But Dixon on Monday downplayed the injury and said he expects to play in Port’s opening JLT Community Series match against West Coast at WA’s Leederville Oval on Sunday, February 25.
“It has just been a bit stiff so I am just managing it, “ Dixon said of his sore back.
“I’ve done a full pre-season and sometimes it’s not worth going out there and hurting yourself more. There is a bigger picture.
“Physios and doctors want to manage you just to make sure you are right for the big show (premiership season).
“I’m tall and heavy so sometimes you just need to rest a little bit.
“But I’m tracking well, my body is feeling good.”
Dixon, 27, will not be considered for Thursday’s AFLX tournament at Hindmarsh Stadium but plans to play in both of the Power’s JLT fixtures — against the Eagles and hometown rival Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday, March 10.
Dixon said he is “very proud” to have been voted into Port’s leadership group for the first time following his recruitment from Gold Coast at the end of 2015.
“It’s a massive honour to be known as a leader among the boys but I don”t think I’ll change too much from what I’ve been doing in the past year,” he said.
“It’s just about playing the right type of footy and doing the right things on and off the field.”
Dixon and his Power teammates are on a two-day community camp, which includes visits to Yorke Peninsula and Port Lincoln.
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