YOUNG Magpie Kyran Dixon will make an inspirational return to football on Saturday after spending eight months sidelined fighting leukaemia.

The 21-year-old Port Adelaide Academy player couldn’t be more pumped to lace up the boots again, as he hits the field in division two of his local football club; the SMOSH West Lakes.

He’s responded well to treatment, and just eight months after being diagnosed with the rare blood cancer, Dixon is reuniting with his one true love; football.

“It’s been a bit of a surprise to come back so quickly, but I’m definitely looking forward to finally running around and having a kick,” Dixon told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“For about three months now I’ve been working pretty hard with the youth cancer service, Michael Wilson and the Magpies trying to get me fit and healthy and back to a good spot.

“I’m feeling really good – the body’s feeling almost back to normal.”

It’s been a tough off-field battle for the young talent, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in late 2014 and was forced to take time out from football while going through chemotherapy treatment.

Admitting giving up football was “one of the hardest things he’s had to do”, he said the support of the Port Adelaide Football Club community has been instrumental to his return.

He’s had countless visits from his teammates, coaches and club staff in hospital, and in March of this year 15 of his Port Adelaide closest shaved or dyed their hair in support of his fight, to raise money for blood cancer research.


PTV: Today Tonight feature on Kyran Dixon

“I wasn’t so much worried about the [chemo] treatment, I was just so worried about when I could get back and play footy,” he said.

“The support from the footy club, especially the coaches and the players have been phenomenal…without that support it probably would have been a harder road than it was.”

After his first game back on Saturday, he’ll be aiming to push for selection in the Magpies Academy, to finally make a return to his home turf at Port Adelaide.

“I’ve been training pretty hard for the Magpies so I’m hoping I’ll get the feel of the footy back and then hopefully in a couple of weeks’ time I’ll be lucky enough to get picked,” he said.

“Loving footy so much, it’s sort of given me the drive to work hard and get back.”

The club wishes Kyran all the best for his return game on Saturday.