Port Adelaide veteran Charlie Dixon will not make decision on his future until end of 2024 season

Ken Hinkley and Charlie Dixon have known each other for 15 years, and know how to push each other’s buttons. Charlie lifts the lid on the fight which sparked his return to form and put Port back on the Premiership path.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUG 03: Charlie Dixon of the Power celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2024 AFL Round 21 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval on August 03, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon is not treating this year like his last and will hold off until the end of the season to make a call on his future.

The 33-year-old has bounced back to form, kicking at least three goals in two of the past three games, as he and the third-placed Power reap the rewards of his off-field changes.

While he was out of the AFL side for six weeks due to form and suspension, Dixon dropped about 6kg in a bid to get to more contests and defend better.

The 200cm big man lost weight by tweaking his diet with the help of his girlfriend and doing extra training on his days off.

Dixon, who had battled a raft of injuries over his 217-game career, told this masthead his body was “feeling good for once”.

Out of contract at season’s end, the Queenslander said he would keep playing “while I can still do it”.

“I felt like I was still hurting from last year, the (foot and quad) injuries I played through, and I feel like I’m only just starting to come good from that,” Dixon said.

“I’m just going to leave it to the end of the season to decide what I’m going to do, if that’s it for me or if I’m willing to keep going and go again.

“At the moment, I’m just worried about what’s in front of me and that’s one game at a time, the old saying.

“I’m hungrier than ever (to win a flag), time’s running out for us older blokes.”

Charlie Dixon rucking against former teammate Peter Ladhams. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Dixon booted 13 goals from his first seven matches this year, before enduring a barren three-week spell that included being subbed off twice.

Port dropped him after the second of those – a one-disposal, no-mark, pre-bye performance against Carlton – only for the key forward to cop a three-game ban in the SANFL.

Power coach Ken Hinkley urged his charge to lose weight during his time off so he could cover the ground more.

“I wasn’t getting involved in the defence stuff and the way the game moves a lot faster now, he wanted me to be able to run a little bit more,” Dixon said.

“I went to work in the time I was suspended and dropped, and just really worked on my fitness and lost a bit of weight to give myself the best chance to play good footy and good team footy.

“My partner is really massive on her health food and she’s helped me a fair bit.

“I’m trying to eat really good food and stay away from all the processed stuff, which is hard after football.

“I’m trying to do a bit more on days off, extra gym and saunas – all that stuff helps – and a bit more recovery.”

Charlie Dixon celebrates with teammates on Saturday night. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

After kicking one goal on his return to the AFL side in the away loss to Gold Coast on July 14, Dixon booted 4.2 in the Power’s home triumph over Richmond.

He was goalless in last weeks’ victory against Carlton then impressed in the 112-point smashing of Sydney on Saturday night.

Hinkley described challenging the former Sun during his time out of the team as picking a fight.

Dixon said he and the coach, who he met in late 2009 when they were part of Gold Coast’s formative, pre-AFL years, knew how to push each other’s buttons.

“He just said he had to pick a fight with me and he did, and I wasn’t overly happy with it, but that’s sometimes the way I like my feedback,” he said.

“He cares for me and wanted me to do better or nothing was going to change for me.

“I took that on board and tried to change a bit of the way I was going about my football.

“I feel like I’m moving all right and I’m happy to be out there just doing my job for the team.”