Charlie Dixon has shed the excess baggage that saw him come under fire from Gold Coast Suns' coaching staff last season. The former Redlynch Lions junior admitted he was not fit enough to run out a full AFL game in his first year at the top level, blaming a poor diet and attitude for his weight gain.
Off contract at season’s end, Dixon knows it is time to perform or perish and has shed about 5kg from his massive frame. Dixon’s eye-catching performance in an intra-club fixture was followed by a solid effort in the rain-marred opening NAB Cup round.
A rolled ankle kept him out of last weekend’s NAB Cup fixtures, but he is optimistic of a recall this weekend against Israel Folau’s Greater Western Sydney.
"I was carrying too much weight last year and couldn’t run a game out," the 21-year-old said.
The 2m tall Dixon carried 109kg last season but will aim for 103kg in 2012.
"It was a bad diet and I guess I let it get to me when I was not being picked in as many games as I would have liked," he said.
The Suns’ first ever signing played 10 – still a reasonable figure for any first-year forward – but he wants to be there for everyone in the club’s second season. Playing in the ruck, as well as showing he is capable in the backline, will help his cause.
"The coaching staff have said I still have things to work on but are keen to play me in the ruck-foward role," Dixon said. "But it’s good to be versatile and I’ll play wherever, I just want to play."
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/03/06/208835_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 06/03/2012 09:56