Port Adelaide veteran Charlie Dixon has announced his retirement from the AFL after 14 seasons with the Power and Gold Coast Suns.
Dixon played 221 AFL games during his time in the league, which started with the Suns as an inaugural member of the club back in 2011.
A local product out of Cairns, Dixon famously kicked Gold Coast's first-ever goal in the AFL in their maiden match against Carlton.
He would play 65 games and boot 94 goals during his time with the Suns before switching to Port Adelaide at the end of 2015.
Dixon would claim three club leading goalkicker awards during his nine years with the Power and would make the All-Australian team in a career-best 2020 season before finishing his career with 357 goals.
Injuries have played a part in limiting Dixon's availability across his career, with the 34-year-old playing more than 18 games in just one of his past six seasons.
โI've been incredibly lucky to have had so long in a game that has given me a lot of great memories,โ Dixon said.
โWhile there have been a lot of challenges along the way, I feel really grateful to both Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast for the opportunities those clubs have provided and the friendships I've made along the way.
โIt'll be hard not coming through those doors and seeing some of my best mates every day but I'm looking forward to what comes next.โ
Dixon's retirement comes a day after fellow Sun-turned-Power player Trent McKenzie also called time on his AFL career.
Coach Ken Hinkley thanked the veteran forward for his service to the club, crediting his influence both on and off the field.
โI've known Charlie since he was a rough and raw teenager with a lot of promise,โ Hinkley said.
โTo see him grow and develop into the footballer, and more importantly the man he is today, gives me a great sense of pride.
โCharlie has always put his body on the line for his teammates, willing himself to every contest โ sometimes with a number of opponents hanging off him.
โHe's been so highly regarded at our club for the role he plays in-game in terms of bringing his teammates into the game, and whether he is stepping into the ruck or providing guidance and advice for our young forwards, we can't be more grateful for the contribution Charlie has made to Port Adelaide.โ
The departures of Dixon and McKenzie are the first two of 2024 for the Power, while Daniel Houston and Ivan Soldo have requested trades to Victoria.
