DEEP into his 13th AFL pre-season, Port Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon says he hasn’t lost his appetite for competition.
After missing half of 2022 due to an ankle injury, the 32-year-old is feeling strong, injury-free and is hoping to enjoy a few more seasons at the top level.
Tipped to achieve his 200-game milestone this year, Dixon is keen to continue calling Alberton home, well beyond 2023.
Dixon on his future
“I think while I've still got the competitive spirit that I've got, I'll continue to play. While I can still play and have a role to play, I want to keep going. If I go out (of football) and I've still got that itch, I'll probably regret that so I won't go out until I know that I'm done. I still think I've got a couple more years, if not three, if the body holds up. I've only played 180 games or something like that (over 12 years) so I think I’ve still got a fair bit of footy left in me.
“There have been a few (conversations around a contract extension) and they say they're keen to keep me on but like it always goes, you just have to see how you go throughout the year.”
Dixon on pre-season
“They get harder every year but I'm muscling my way through it. I’m definitely (feeling strong and healthy). I've got through this (pre-season) which is good, a bit different to last year. Feeling fit, feeling ready to go. I only played half a year last year so it gave the body another spell.”
Dixon on the forward line:
“I think we've trialled a few new things (in pre-season). With Jez (Finlayson) going down, that has thrown another spanner in the mix. I think with the way we move the ball a little bit better this year, we can try and find a few more marks instead of contests. The ball does come through me a bit, but I think you'll find Toddy (Marshall) and Jez and Mitch (Georgiades) will see a fair bit of the footy.”
Dixon on being away from home
“It's definitely a thing with people wanting to go home and be close to family. Throughout the year it's a very demanding sport and you don’t get to be around your family as much…it is very tough. When I moved here in 2015, I knew Kenny (Hinkley) and didn’t know anyone else. It is tough and you do sort of battle your own loneliness and whatnot, but the footy club does a great job.
“I love it here. I want to stay here. I plan on staying here for a long time, whether I’m playing footy or not. I can understand blokes wanting to go home (though), especially young blokes.”
Dixon on his property in the Adelaide Hills
“It's probably the best thing I’ve done is get out of the city and spend some time up in the hills. I’ve got a bit of land there, so I muck around with my cars and the dogs love it up there so it's like going on a bit of a holiday every time I drive up the freeway. I love it.”
Dixon on the possibility of reaching 200 games
“If it happens, I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, I guess. Don't want to jinx it just yet but yeah, it will be pretty special to get there. Not many people thought I would get there including myself at some stages, so it would be amazing to be able to get there.”
Dixon on individual players
Jeremy Finlayson: “He's going alright. I saw him a couple of days after (surgery) and he said he was alright. His ankle is still quite stiff. I've had the same surgery two or three times, so I know what he's going through. I think he'll be able to bounce back pretty quick.”
Junior Rioli: “The way he uses the ball is pretty exciting. He's buzzing around out there, training really well. He adds another string to our bow with the way he uses the ball and the way he can hit the scoreboard.”
Jason Horne-Francis: “He’s a big beast and it's exciting to see the way he takes on his role in the midfield and is eager to learn. He's got a bit of mongrel about him and he's a mad competitor and that's what you want to see in a footballer and especially a young bloke. He's just willing to take the game on and uses the ball so well, so I'm pretty excited.”
