Charlie Dixon on Tom Jonas’ captaincy, his full pre-season and the Power’s lofty expectations
Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon has heaped praise on Tom Jonas’ captaincy throughout this pre-season and said there’s plenty of things to be excited about at Alberton.
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Port Adelaide’s powerful forward Charlie Dixon has praised the club’s sole skipper Tom Jonas and his leadership across this pre-season.
The key defender was named as the Power’s sole captain after he shared the duties with Ollie Wines last season, with the club now resorting back to the one skipper model.
“The way he holds himself, it’s a no bulls*** sort of thing,” Dixon said on SEN Melbourne on Friday morning.
“It’s just who he is, you know what you’re going to get from him, he’s grown his leadership over the last 12 months.
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“I really enjoyed the weekend we went away (to Maroochydore), the way he spoke to the group, I think he’s our man and I’m pumped to have him as our captain.”
Dixon also spoke highly of Wines and his conduct after he was demoted to vice-captain.
“That’s the way it is, things change in football and not everything works, you always try different things,” he said.
“It’s not like it didn’t work, we listened to the fans and they like the number one jumper.
“Ollie’s taken it in his stride and he’s happy as long as the club’s happy.”
When quizzed by Tim Watson if the decision to resort back to sole captaincy was down to just the fans, Dixon said it was about what was best for the club.
“It’s not just what the fans wanted, but, it’s something that’s best for us, but you need to listen to the fans,” he said.
“You need to look at all the areas of the football club.”
Jonas wore the number one jumper for the first time as the Power defeated Brisbane in their first Marsh Series hit out on Sunday, a game where Dixon booted four majors.
“I’ve been able to get a fair chunk of pre-season under my belt and backed myself to get the work in,” he said.
“I haven’t missed any of it to be honest, there’s been management days as you get older, other than that I’ve got through unscathed, it’s been good.
“I’ve really enjoyed being out there and being a part of the group, after a few years of missing that sort of stuff.
“The pre-seasons are long for a reason, we’ve got to get the touch and skills down and learn the way we play.
“Last year I probably had four weeks of football before I came back and actually played.
“Your confidence isn’t there, you question everything you’re doing.
“There’s always those doubts, to be able to know that I’ve done the work is good for the brain.”
Dixon was accompanied by both Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall in the forward line on Sunday, and the Power star said it’s good to see competition for spots.
“We’re in a good position at the moment, we have a lot of players putting their hands up, and that’s what you want – competition in the club,” he said.
“I like having a few talls around me, I like having Toddy there, Georgiades and ‘Ebo’ (Brad Ebert).
“There’s a long list I’d like to have next to me.
“It’s going to be different to see who puts their hand up, we have another game for the boys to cement their spot.
“I liked the way we looked on the weekend, we have ‘Pep’ (Sam Powell-Pepper) and ‘Mots’ (Steven Motlop) running through there, I’m really excited to see what we can throw together.”
Georgiades has been the front runner of the Power 2020 draft crop across the pre-season, and Dixon said he’s exciting to watch.
“He’s a kid out there playing footy, he’s jumping at everything, he’s running around playing footy as young kids too,” he said.
“He has no fear, he cleaned me up a couple of times on the weekend, he just jumps at the footy.
“He’s going to be a handful, you love blokes who’s going to contest no matter what.”
Originally published as Charlie Dixon on Tom Jonas’ captaincy, his full pre-season and the Power’s lofty expectations