AFL 2020: Port Adelaide coaches deny shutting down Charlie Dixon can shut the Power down too

Port Adelaide has lost three games this season, in two Charlie Dixon didn’t kick a goal, but the coaches deny it’s no Dixon, no Port.

The Power’s Charlie Dixon was kept quiet by the Geelong defence. Picture: Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Changes are “likely” for Port Adelaide this week after the worst performance of the season against Geelong.

But forwards coach Nathan Bassett dismissed any suggestion that by stopping big man Charlie Dixon, opposition teams effectively stop the Power.

Dixon has booted 21 goals this season but didn’t manage a single score against the Cats from just three disposals, as Bassett conceded the Geelong defence “really did break us down”.

The power forward has only gone goalless in one other game this season, the Round 5 loss to Brisbane, one of just three defeats this season.

“I don’t think stopping Charlie … he could have kicked nine goals on the weekend as we still would have lost,” Bassett said.

Port say while Charlie Dixon was down on form against Geelong, he had a lot of mates. Picture: Michael Klein

“We were well beaten for the entire game. Charlie didn’t have a good day, but he’s been a very good footballer for us this year.

“Geelong are very well organised, they are the best team we have come up against.

“We had a lot of players down on form, down on performance. It can be difficult to play well when so many around you are struggling.

“Geelong really did break us down and did a great job of it.”

Last night's full-forward showdown between Charlie Dixon and Tom Hawkins was a non-event. Has #Geelong found the way to stop #Port? @Simeon_TW reports. #AFLCatsPowerhttps://t.co/V7WXSxjdP2

— The Advertiser (@theTiser) August 15, 2020

Bassett conceded that any return meeting against the Cats in the finals would require changes to the way Port played.

“I don’t think there’s necessarily a lot we would change in how we play other sides, but we might make some adjustments given how Geelong play,” he said.

Some “red flags” were also raised after the 60-point smashing, easily Port’s biggest loss this year. But Bassett said it was more likely an outlier for the premiership contenders.

“When you lose by 10 goals there is always a red flag and a place of concern,” he said.

“But we’ve shown much better resilience this year, we’ve fought through some tougher games where we haven’t been playing our best footy.

“This wasn’t one of them.”

Bassett said Conor Rozee remained unavailable, but Brad Ebert could be among the inclusions for Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn.

“I think there is a likelihood there will be some changes,” he said.

“There’s been a few players who have been down on form for a period of time.

Originally published as AFL 2020: Port Adelaide coaches deny shutting down Charlie Dixon can shut the Power down too