KEY FORWARD Charlie Dixon was one of the star performers in Port Adelaide’s intra-club match on Friday night.
The man mountain made his presence known in the forward 50, clunking several big marks and booting four goals to inspire Team Black to a comeback win in front of a strong crowd at Alberton Oval.
After enduring an injury interrupted 2019 season, Dixon said he is revelling in attacking his pre-season fully fit and healthy.
“This is one of the first pre-seasons I’ve probably done the entirety of,” the 29-year-old told portadelaidefc.com.au during a post-game signing session on Friday night.
“It’s good to get that under the belt and then come out and have a bit of a run around.”
The former Sun said it was great to get out in front of a vocal Alberton crowd and see first-hand what Port’s young players can do in game situations.
“Intra-clubs are always different, because you’re playing your teammates and they know where you’re going to run and all of that,” he said.
“But it’s a good hit out and good support from the fans as always.
“Good to see these young blokes here and see what they can put on the park.”
The tall forward only managed nine games in 2019 on the comeback trail from a horrific broken leg he suffered at the end of his 2018 campaign.
However, Dixon refused to dwell on the struggles and instead said he is just happy to be back playing football in Port Adelaide colours.
“It’s always good for the confidence when you can put a couple through the sticks,” he admitted.
“I’ve been a bit unfortunate with some injuries, but that’s football, that’s just the way it goes sometimes.
“Fingers crossed I can stay on the park and get a bit of continuity into my training and into my games.”
Now one of the senior players on the list, Dixon was also impressed with the performances of some of his younger teammates as competition for selection ramps up heading into the Marsh Community Series.
“This bloke next to me (Jake Pasini) played on me in the second half and came across with some big spoils,” he said.
“Mitchy (Georgiades) like always (impressed), Connor (Rozee), Joely Garner was nice with his nice flowing mullet.
“There’s a lot of boys producing that have been grinding away this pre-season, big Pistol (Ladhams) in the ruck did well.”
When asked what impressed him the most, the Queenslander kept it simple.
“Just all-around good football.”
