PORT Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon hopes his latest round of ankle surgery will allow him to drive the Power back to the finals.
Dixon underwent surgery to his left ankle in November, but will play at least half a game in the Power's intraclub trial on Friday and plans to feature in two games of the JLT Community Series.
"I've had loose ankles and that's been a problem for me," Dixon told reporters from the Power's Australia Post Community Camp at Blanchetown Primary School on Monday.
"It was just something that wasn't getting better.
"It was best to tighten it up and strengthen it up.
"There's not as much movement as there has been."
Dixon said it was a different ankle injury to what he had previously had during his five seasons with Gold Coast from 2011-15.
"They (the surgeons) weren't 100 per cent sure when they went in there, they did a little bit of a clean out," Dixon said.
"They ended up drilling through it and tightening it up with a couple cords.
"I wasn't too fussed, I was just worried about when I could be back."
Putting the team first, Dixon admitted he rushed back too early last season after he had his ankle stepped on by a North Melbourne defender in round 17.
He missed just two weeks before returning, but was put on the ice for the final two games of the season when the Power's finals hopes were extinguished.
"I probably rushed back probably four weeks too early," he said.
"We were maybe a chance to play finals, so I had to try and get out there.
"I should have waited a bit."
Dixon booted 30 goals in his 18 games for the Power last season, the most he has played in his six years in the AFL.
"To be honest, I don't think it was my best season," Dixon said.
"You've always got to strive to improve, that's what I'll go out and do.
"I'll work on my craft and do everything I can to help the team."
Dixon hasn't had any trouble with his ankle in the past two weeks.
He is embracing his second season with the Power after arriving as a marquee recruit at the end of 2015.
"There's always that little bit of pressure," he said.
"I tried to keep that out of my mind and play football.
"Being in Adelaide, it's pretty ruthless.
"You guys (the media) love to get on and get off us, so do the rest of the supporters.
"It's very fierce competition.
"For myself, it was definitely an eye opener.
"I'm a little bit more comfortable with where I am at and looking forward to this season."
AFL and club access members will have free general admission entry to JLT Community Series matches in which their club is competing (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable). Click here to learn more.
