Why footy’s shutdown is ‘hard to swallow’ for Port Adelaide’s superstar forward Charlie Dixon

After completing a full pre-season and looking impressive throughout the Marsh Series, the shutdown of the AFL season has been ‘very disappointing’ for Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon.

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Star Port Adelaide key forward Charlie Dixon says the AFL shutdown period is “hard to swallow’’ after he enjoyed his best pre-season and is chasing a new contract.

Desperate to show off the benefits of what he claims was his best block of summer training after a serious leg injury prematurely ended his 2018 season and ruined his 2019 campaign, Dixon is stuck in isolation after the competition was put on hold until at least May 31 because of the COVID-19 crisis.

“I did everything I could to get my body right and do a full pre-season and hadn’t felt this good for a long, long time, so it’s very disappointing to not be playing,’’ he said.

“It is hard to swallow but everyone’s going through their struggles at the moment, I’m not alone in this.’’

Two-metre powerhouse forward Dixon missed the Power’s round one triumph against Gold Coast with a minor groin strain – suffered in the last Marsh Community Series match against the Western Bulldogs – but appeared poised for a strong season in a contract year.

The 29-year-old’s five-year deal with Port – after it signed him from the Suns – expires at the end of the season.

“To be honest I’m trying not to think about it too much, just trying to keep my head down and think that we are going to be playing in the next couple of months,’’ Dixon said.

“It’s probably a bit unrealistic at the moment but it (this season) is like a last chance for me.

“It’s tough but I keep myself busy and try not to think about it too much and hopefully when I get my opportunity I can grasp it with both hands, do what I know I can do and try to get myself another contract for next year.

Charlie Dixon with his dog, Otis, and Holden HR. Picture: Sarah Reed.

“Everything is uncertain at the moment, so I just take it day by day, week by week, working out what we can and can’t do.

“I just want to be fit and healthy and ready to go when we do start playing again.’’

Unlike most of his Port teammates, Dixon did not have to self-isolate for 14 days because he did not travel to the Gold Coast.

He has spent his time training close to his home at Unley Oval and restoring old cars, which is a strong passion of his.

“I’ve rented a shed and put all my cars in there, five of them,’’ Dixon told FIVEaa.

“I like my music too, so I spend most of my time in the shed, put some tunes on and go to work on my cars.

“I’ve also got a gym set-up at home, so I work out privately and then do some running at Unley Oval.

“I think I’ve been self-isolating for a number of years now (through injury), so I’m pretty used to it.

“But it’s definitely a different time, so I’m lucky I’ve got a couple of hobbies to keep myself busy.’’

Dixon said Port’s head of high performance Ian McKeown had put him through some “change of direction stuff’’ on Friday and his groins were “feeling really good’’.

Originally published as Why footy’s shutdown is ‘hard to swallow’ for Port Adelaide’s superstar forward Charlie Dixon