Charlie Dixon shows he means business as Port Adelaide hits the ground running with win against Brisbane
Four-goal Charlie Dixon shows he means business as Port Adelaide beat finalist Brisbane in the opening Marsh Community Series match. Here’s what we learnt.
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Charlie Dixon revealed he had enjoyed his first full pre-season in 10 years as Port Adelaide hit the ground running in its opening Marsh Community Series match against Brisbane in Queensland on Sunday.
The powerhouse key forward lived up to the pre-season hype about his improved fitness with a strong display, leading the Power to an impressive 21-point win against last year’s finalist despite a best-afield, 46-disposal display from star Lions midfielder Lachie Neale.
Displaying an aggressive, hard-hitting game plan and exciting, multi-pronged attack which saw the much-maligned Steven Motlop produce an encouraging performance, Port seized control in the third term to make an early statement that it could be ready to return to the finals for the first time in three years.
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Dixon, who kicked 13 goals in nine games last year after taking time to recover from a badly broken leg suffered in round 21, 2018, booted four majors while using his powerful 200cm, 110kg physique to create opening for his teammates.
Opposed to Lions All-Australian defender Harris Andrews, Dixon had seven shots at goal, booting 4.3, from 18 disposals while laying five tackles.
“The way Dixon is moving if I was a Port supporter I would be very excited right now,’’ former star Brisbane forward Jonathan Brown said of his performance.
Dixon, who also kicked four goals in the Power’s intraclub match last week, said it was the best he had felt at this time of the year in 10 years.
“I’m going all right, it took me about 10 years to get a good one (pre-season) under my belt,’’ he told Fox Footy.
“These games are good to get a blow and to see where you are actually at but I'm feeling good.’’
The Power has made a focus of scoring more this season and some positional moves also appear to have paid early dividends.
Motlop, who has failed to flatter since being signed as a free agent from Geelong at the end of 2017, produced a standout display across half-forward, with three goals from 22 disposals.
Like Dixon, he has enjoyed a strong pre-season and looked extremely fit.
Second-year forwards Zak Butters and Connor Rozee shone inside 50 – they also had some nice moments on-ball – while the move of tough midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper into attack looks a winner.
His immense forward pressure created several scoring opportunities for teammates while he got his hands on the ball 23 times.
Rookie Mitch Georgiades looked lively and impressed Dixon with his attack on the ball.
“He’s going to fly at everything,’’ he said.
Coach Ken Hinkley – in a contract year – has gone out on a limb by saying Port can contend for this year’s flag, declaring: “Look out, we’re coming’’.
With star forward-midfielder Robbie Gray, No. 1 ruckman Scott Lycett and midfield bull Ollie Wines absent, Hinkley would have been delighted with the first-up hit out.
HARTLETT FLYING
HAMISH Hartlett was another good news story for Port, showing plenty of dash from half-back and giving his team a new attacking edge.
A return from a knee reconstruction followed by a succession of hamstring injuries restricted the Power vice-captain to just 11 games last season but he now looks fully fit.
Hartlett had 18 disposals from the back half and ran forward in the final term to kick a classy goal.
His speed, kicking ability and power running through the corridor are crucial to Port's success.
LIKELY TYPE
MUCH-HYPED first-year forward Mitch Georgiades did not win a heap of the ball but he showed enough against the Lions to suggest he could play some AFL football for Port this season.
Rated by development coach Chad Cornes as being ahead of West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling at the same stage of his career, Georgiades – taken at No. 18 at last year’s national draft – had a modest nine disposals and kicked two behinds but he looked very lively.
Georgiades showed his agility and jumping skills in attack and – as the club continually has stated – was not afraid to jump at the footy.
He failed to grab hold of any of the high marks he attempted and occasionally spoiled teammates but he has a genuine appetite for the contest.
Brown was a big rap for Georgiades, noting he plays taller than his height (191cm).
“I just love the way he goes at the footy, he has a real future,’’ Brown told Fox Footy.
The Power’s other player playing his first senior game for the club on Sunday, rookie-listed small forward Tobin Cox, struggled to make an impact.
HELMETED EBERT
VETERAN Brad Ebert appears certain to don a helmet again this season after hinting in the pre-season that he would ditch it.
Struck down by a series of concussions last season that sidelined him for six weeks and saw him visit a neurosurgeon in Melbourne, the Port midfielder returned to the field in a helmet before having his season ended by a knee injury.
He said his series of head knocks had left him “waking up feeling like you had a solid hangover’’ and not feeling himself.
The 29-year-old wore the helmet again against Brisbane on Sunday in a sign that it is likely to become a permanent fixture for the rest of his career.
PORT 2.2 4.5 9.10 14.14 (98)
BRISBANE 2.3 3.5 6.5 12.5 (77)
BEST – Port: Motlop, Dixon, Rozee, Boak, Powell-Pepper, Hartlett, Butters, Duursma.
Brisbane: Neale, McCluggage, Martin, Zorko, Rich, Hipwood.
GOALS – Port: Dixon 4, Motlop 3, Rozee, Duursma 2, Butters, Ebert, Hartlett.
Brisbane: Hipwood, McCluggage 3, McInerney 2, Zorko, Neale, Rayner, Rich.
UMPIRES – O’Gorman, Nicholls, Whetton, Gianfagna.
VENUE – Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex.
Originally published as Charlie Dixon shows he means business as Port Adelaide hits the ground running with win against Brisbane