CHARLIE DIXON is remaining hopeful of having a meaningful impact on Port Adelaide’s premiership campaign as he works to overcome a foot injury that has kept him out of the last four games.
Dixon has had to rest to allow a small fracture in his left foot to heal, and the big forward admits he has not been the best spectator as his side went on to secure a third top-four finish in four seasons.
A day after recommitting to the club for another season, the 32-year-old spoke on SEN SA of his progress towards playing again in finals and the reasons behind his desire to remain at the club.
Charlie Dixon on wanting to play on in 2024:
“I was pretty keen to play on. I think I’ve shown I’ll still be able to do it, even with one leg this year. And I’ve always said if I can still perform in the way I know I can and actually help the team and not hinder the team, I’ll play on.
“I think if I’d pulled up stumps this year, knowing my body was healthy and I could keep going and I didn’t, I think I’d probably regret that. I want to be able to keep playing while I still can and still perform to a point so that was my decision and will be my decision going forward.”
Charlie Dixon on how the young core at the club factored into his decision making:
“That’s a key factor for me playing on is that the young group we’ve got coming through are just incredible humans to start with. They’re leading this football club in the right way and the next crop that’s coming through is second to none. You want to be part of this group moving forward.
“The young boys keep you young with the way they carry on so I’m just excited to still be a part of it and watch these kids grow.”
Charlie Dixon on the foot injury that has him on the sidelines for at least another week:
“It is a pain in the arse because it’s a little fracture and you’ve got to rest it. I’m out of the boot now and I was in the pool, riding the stationary bike doing cardio sessions and all that, but it is a frustrating one because you can’t really do too much really, you’ve got to wait and let it heal.
“I was running on the AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) on Saturday and today, and probably have a run around on Thursday so it’s going alright. We’ve just got to see how it goes. It is frustrating but that’s all injuries.”
Charlie Dixon on the feeling at the club leading into Saturday night’s Qualifying Final against Brisbane:
“It’s always exciting when you get the chance to play finals because you know how hard it is to play finals because the league is so even. Everyone is up and about and they just want their chance to get out there and perform and get the win, then have an opportunity for the next one.”
Charlie Dixon on having to watch games from the stands while injured:
“I’m a horrible watcher. I don’t really like watching but I’ll go up (to Brisbane) with the boys this weekend and try razz them up a bit and keep my (self) together.”
