PORT ADELAIDE forward Charlie Dixon has described the amazing feeling at being selected amongst the game’s elite in the 2020 AFL All-Australian side, saying he has never considered himself as being in the same category.
Dixon was one of three Port Adelaide players selected in the 22-man All-Australian team, which was revealed in a televised AFL Awards presentation on Thursday night.
The 30-year-old joined defender Darcy Byrne-Jones and midfielder Travis Boak as Port Adelaide representatives in the side, and he said it was an unexpected honour.
“It has never even been on my radar,” Dixon revealed in a press conference on Friday.
“I’ve never thought of myself as being in that category so it was a bit of a surprise and a pretty amazing feeling to know that I’m part of that team.”
Dixon endured a horror 2019 season as he fought to return from a horrendous leg injury which restricted him to just nine games.
This year he finished runner up in the Coleman Medal with 32 goals in 16 games and led the competition for contested marks, as Port’s key forward focal point.
He said being diligent with training and getting things right in his life on and off the field had contributed to his strong 2020 campaign.
“At the end of the year last year I felt like I was building towards something,” Dixon said.
“In the last two games I was getting that bit more confidence back in my body and I was able to do a few things I didn’t think I’d be able to do again.
“I just wanted to carry that on so I just kept training throughout my break after a couple of weeks off.
“I just kept training every second day to try put myself in the best position to be able to give myself and my body a chance to perform week-in, week-out.”
Dixon is now eager to continue his form into the finals, starting with Thursday night’s blockbuster Qualifying Final against Geelong.
He said playing in front of a home crowd at Adelaide Oval would be a big support, and he was eager to go deep into finals.
“The way we’ve gone about this year has been huge and the team success is what we strive for and to be playing finals,” Dixon said.
“I’ve only played the one final and to be able to go deep into finals is all we want as players.
“It’s huge that we’ve been able to sit top for the whole season in what sort of season we’ve had with COVID and everything.
“It’s amazing to be in this position we are and myself I’m in this position because of my teammates, and the coaches and the whole support staff at Port Adelaide.
“And I can’t thank the club, the administration, everyone involved to get us to play this year and to be able to be in the finals and in the position we’re in.”
Dixon is expecting to draw a crowd of defenders in the match, as he did against the Cats when the sides met last month.
Geelong won comfortably on that occasion and Dixon was starved of many opportunities due in part to close checking and limited supply.
But he explained he was used to being double or even triple-teamed, and just wanted to work hard to involve his teammates in the play.
“It’s been the same for the last 18 weeks so nothing I won’t be used to,” he joked.
“I’m just keen to get out there. I wish we were playing a little bit earlier.
“We’ve just got to work out how we bring the ball in and control the ball to control the game.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and trying to get one back.”
