AFL 2024: Port Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon offered three-game suspension by SANFL match review panel

Port Adelaide won’t be able to call on Charlie Dixon this weekend, after the Power veteran was charged with rough conduct and hit with a three-game suspension by the SANFL.

Charlie Dixon’s push to reclaim his place in Port Adelaide’s AFL side has hit a roadblock with the key forward handed a three-game ban by the SANFL match review panel.

Dixon has been charged with rough conduct after making contact with West Adelaide defender Jordan White, who had just disposed of the ball, in the second quarter of Port’s 20-point SANFL win over West Adelaide at Alberton on Saturday.

White had to be helped from the field and didn’t return due to concussion.

The Power veteran’s hit has been graded as careless, high and of severe impact, resulting in a three-match suspension.

Speaking after his side’s first win of the season on Saturday, Port SANFL coach Hamish Hartlett said he thought there was no malicious intent in the action.

“I saw the incident very briefly as it happened, “Hartlett said.

“I haven’t seen it since so it is tough to comment. Obviously the West Adelaide player, didn’t return to the action so I guess it will be looked.

“What I do know having seen it very, very briefly is there was no malicious intent in the incident so we will see what happens.”

The incident capped a mixed afternoon for Dixon who was well held for much of the afternoon by West key defender Josh Ryan.

The 33-year-old kicked a goal in the opening term from a ruck infringement before taking his only mark of the afternoon in the final term, a strong contested grab in the final term before goaling to help Port seal the win.

He finished with two goals and nine touches spending most of his time deep forward while pinch hitting in the ruck.

“I thought he competed really well. He stood up for us big time in the last quarter with a big mark and goal for us,” Hartlett said.

“Josh Ryan is the best full back in the competition in my opinion, so it was always going to be a challenge for Charlie.

He competed well and kicked a couple of goals but more importantly he felt really well physically and he’s pulled up well and he’ll continue to build his form from there.”

Charlie Dixon after booting a goal for the Magpies on Saturday. Picture: SANFL Image/David Mariuz

Jeremy Finlayson had 25 touches and was one of Port Adelaide’s best. Picture: SANFL Image/David Mariuz

While Dixon had a mixed afternoon, Jeremy Finlayson was influential for his side, providing a crucial spark on-ball along side Lachie Jones as West threatened to steal the game in the final term.

“We were a couple of midfielders short and we just felt like we needed that added body strength and class around the footy in Lachie and Jez, it was going to hold us in good stead,” Hartlett said.

“Those guys stood up tremendously well in the last quarter.”

Finlayson finished with 25 touches and six clearances to go with 1.3 in front of goal while Jones had 18 touches.

“We need all these guys to feel confident in the way they are playing and there is no better way to feel confident is to get their hands on the footy,” Hartlett said.

“We tried to play them in their primary roles for as long as they could but we also had the flexibility from Kenny that we could get them around the footy if we felt like we needed to get them more into the game.”

There were also positives with Port’s young players with key forward Tom Scully booting four goals while Hugh Jackson impressed in limited game time in his return from a hip injury.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Port Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon offered three-game suspension by SANFL match review panel