POWER USES NOODLE TO PLAY IT SAFE WITH DIXON
CHARLIE Dixon is likely to play in the SANFL again this weekend with Port Adelaide set to resist bringing back its spearhead for its trip to Geelong.
Dixon started off
Tuesday’s training session on the sidelines with key defender Trent McKenzie – who is still three to five weeks away – as the main group warmed up.
The 31-year-old quickly joined in with the main group at Alberton and was moving well.
But the Power is likely to give Dixon another week at SANFL level as he comes back from two surgeries on his ankle in 2022.
Port’s SANFL side plays West Adelaide in Loxton on Sunday.
Dixon wasn’t able to get a game last week, with the SANFL having a bye because of the state game.
He did make his return against Woodville-West Torrens, but said his ankle felt “proppy”.
Port Adelaide coaches have said they won’t take any chances with Dixon, and will wait until he is 100 per cent fit before bringing him back to the senior side.
Orazio Fantasia also trained in full as he looks for his first game of 2022 after knee surgery in the offseason.
Fantasia was considered ahead of Dixon in fitness and was the medical sub for the Power in its comfortable win over North Melbourne in Hobart.
But he wasn’t called upon against the Roos.
McKenzie did some running as he recovers from knee surgery.
No.12 draft pick Josh Sinn meanwhile is not running for two weeks as he seeks to get on top of persistent groin soreness.
Trent Dumont is out of Covid-19 protocols while captain Tom Jonas will have a limited window to prove his fitness for the huge clash when he leaves isolation later this week.
Riley Bonner will start running again this week and is two to three weeks away from returning.