THEY may not be as graceful on a surfboard as they are with a Sherrin in hand, but a love of the ocean has seen Cairns Saints junior Charlie Dixon and Adelaide recruit Nathan Bock forge an instant friendship on the Gold Coast.
The All Australian centre half back is mentoring the Cairns 20-year-old at their Gold Coast Suns headquarters as he recovers from a back injury and attempts to cement his place in the inaugural team for the 2011 season.
Dixon said the former Crow had been the perfect foil on the training paddock and also at the beach, considering they both fancied themselves on a surfboard.
"He’s been a good mentor. He doesn’t mind getting out in the surf, but when it comes to training he is switched on and goes hard," Dixon said.
"It’s a great lifestyle here that’s for sure. I don’t regret moving away but Cairns will always be home."
The key forward is still recovering from a back injury and is not yet back in the main training group. He said watching the skills training from his rehabilitation group was a form of torture, but also a source of inspiration.
"We’ve been doing 150m sprints and box runs while they are out doing skills. It’s hard to watch but I can’t wait to get out of that rehab group and on to the ball," he said.
"I’ve started doing modified skills so I should be right not long after Christmas."
The team heads to Noosa for a boot camp this weekend, before Dixon is home shortly before Christmas.
Then, fingers crossed, it’s non-stop until September.
"I’ll be working hard to make this run-on team this season and hopefully for years to come after that," he said.
Last Modified on 11/05/2011 11:31