CLAIMS LIONS TRYING TO POACH DIXON

ADELAIDE football director Mark Ricciuto has claimed Brisbane is trying to lure Charlie Dixon away from Port Adelaide and back home with a four-year deal.

Speaking on his Triple M breakfast program on Monday, Ricciuto said his mail was that Dixon had been offered a deal north of three years and he found it strange the key forward was yet to recommit to the Power which sits on top of the AFL ladder.

Dixon’s manager Peter Blucher said he would not break his policy of speaking about player contracts and declined to comment on the speculation, but as recently as Friday Port Adelaide’s football manager Chris Davies said he was confident Dixon would stay at Alberton ahead of big offers from rival clubs.

The Lions told The Courier-Mail they do not comment on players from other clubs.

“It’s strange if your good player like that is not signed up at this time of year, especially when Port have got the money and everything,” Ricciuto said. “There is very strong interest from a side, very strong interest in Charlie from (a place where) let’s just say he could get a tan.

“I’m not saying he’s going back to where he came from (Gold Coast), that state potentially, I’m not saying he’s going by the way, I’m just saying there is very strong interest. I hope he stays, he loves Ken Hinkley and has a great footy side with lots of young players, but watch this space.”

Dixon was drafted by Gold Coast and played 65 games for the Suns from 2011-15 before joining the Power on a five-year deal.

He comes out of contract at a time when he is in career-best form, having overcome an

horrific broken leg in 2018 to kick 23 goals and provide a strong focal point for the Power with his contested marking.

While Dixon’s strong ties to his family remain in Queensland where he grew up in Cairns, Port Adelaide is confident the 29year-old will stay at the Power beyond this season.