Ollie Lord has had an impact since returning to the AFL side in Round 4. Image: AFL Photos.

HEADLINE writers and commentators can rejoice. Ollie Lord is back in AFL action. And the Port Adelaide key forward - and willing pinch-hitting ruckman - is changing their storyline from a month ago when Lord was supposedly out-of-favour at Alberton.

He is now that critical piece completing a far more credible spine to the Port Adelaide line-up. He is showing the merit to the prophecy of filling the big shoes left by Charlie Dixon as the go-to man at the goal front.

This seemed the pretty obvious theme that night in Brisbane - September 9, 2023 at the Gabba - when Lord kicked four goals in a losing qualifying final line-up deprived of Dixon.

But storylines - like headlines - do not always stack up. 

Lord advanced through the 2024 pre-season as a lock for AFL selection in the premiership-season opener until he suffered a broken tibia and bone bruising on virtually the last drill of summer training. He did not make it to AFL ranks until round 16.

With Dixon retired, Lord should have come out of the 2025 pre-season as the inevitable tall target - and back-up ruck option - to power Port Adelaide's notable front-half dominance to scores. But sometimes you can try too hard to live up to an expectation.

"I came back really fit and strong, ready to put my best foot forward for the year," says Lord who in February signalled his desire to make 2025 his break-out year after 19 AFL games in the previous two seasons after arriving at Alberton as the 49th call in the 2020 national draft.

"I had a good pre-season without being a standout. I probably wanted to lift my level a little bit, but I had to play a couple of weeks in ruck which I am fine with. I want to do anything for the team to help out.

Lord celebrates a goal in Port Adelaide's Gather Round win over Hawthorn. Image: Brooke Bowering.

"I probably did not have the best pre-season in terms of how I wanted to finish. I kept working hard and I feel I am reaping the rewards now."

And it might be the advice from Dixon that has allowed 23-year-old Lord to be the answer to Port Adelaide's prayers while dealing with cursed injuries to fellow key forwards Todd Marshall (Achilles) and Gold Coast recruit Jack Lukosius (fractured kneecap).

"Charlie was really strong on just keeping it simple," says Lord, who has signed a two-year contract extension keeping him tied to Port Adelaide until the end of 2026.

"Keep it simple and do the simple things well. Compete, contest. I feel that is my game. Get to as many contests as I can get to, the better. It is a really simple focus. And that really helps. Charlie has been a big part of that.

"Keep it simple. Play on instinct."

Lord returned to AFL action - with a three-goal haul - against St Kilda a fortnight ago at Adelaide Oval putting theory to the test. The proof already existed from that qualifying final in Brisbane in 2023.

"That day I hardly thought of anything and played on instinct - 'Let's go out and play'," recalls Lord. "And I played the best game I ever played. Bringing that mindset to play on instinct, to do the team stuff and to not make it complicated. When I do (otherwise), I overthink it and I do not play too well.

"I am a bit of a footy head," adds Lord whose football heritage is tied to his grandfather Alastair Lord, the Brownlow Medallist great at Geelong. "I love watching footy at the weekend. But I am learning, five years in, to switch off.

Lord was impressive in his first game of the season, slotting three goals against St Kilda. Image: Matt Sampson.

"I have a really sound routine now, day to day and during the week," says Lord who is studying commerce away from football gameplans. "I feel my professionalism away from the club has improved a lot and that is just with maturing. I feel I am nailing a lot of things off the field on the head. Hopefully, it helps me with a good routine."

Lord is now starting his fourth run at securing a regular berth in the Port Adelaide attack. His previous three worked out at six consecutive games each time. Today it is two games and counting with a critical partnership with Mitch Georgiades, who seems much better suited with his running patterns as the second tallest option in the Port Adelaide attack.

"I am happy to build into the season; that is two games and I look forward to what the next game (against Sydney at the SCG brings). And the one after that," says Lord.

"I am happy with continuity, two games in a row now. I want to keep banking them. Every single time I play, I get better; I improve on something so I feel that continuity is really important for me."

Against Hawthorn in the Gather Round closer at Adelaide Oval on Sunday evening, Lord was, in his own review, "launching at the ball is a little bit better now".

"I had a really simple focus - compete. I feel I did that," said Lord who finished with 1.1 while Georgiades scored 3.2 in the 30-point win.

Lord is making the most of his opportunity working in tandem with Mitch Georgiades up front. Image: Matt Sampson.

"We are building that (tandem)," says Lord. "Last week (against St Kilda) was a good indication of that - finding each other and slowly learning how each other moves, where we are. I feel it is almost second nature now. I am enjoying working with Mitch who is in fine form. All you have to do is kick the ball in his area now and he gets the job done."

It is a partnership that will need to last while Marshall and Lukosius remain on the injury list.

"You never want to be selected because others are injured," says Lord. "But I know about being injured with my injuries during the past couple of years when I was ahead of a couple of people. I don't feel there is pressure (to perform), but it is a very, very good opportunity to cement a strong spot in this team. I feel the team needs someone to stand up and be a really competitive beast in the front half.

"I just want to launch into the season now after putting a couple under my belt.

"I just want to play my role in the team. That is what I love. I love competing, I love winning and any time I can do the selfless thing for the team I will do it.

"It is a confidence thing. I was a little bit down on confidence prior to last week. It is funny how just playing a role and feeling good about yourself rolls in like a domino effect to the next week."

The ruck option remains - as it did so often with Dixon.

"I always loved playing in ruck," says Lord. "And I will do anything that (senior coach) Kenny (Hinkley) and the coaches want. I am kind of happy that I did not ruck the last couple of weeks because I would have been gassed. But I love getting into the game. Hitting body on body. Sometimes when you are starved of possessions or the ball in the front half I am always putting up my hand to go into the ruck to have a burst there. I am competitive and always there if needed."