A "SPECIAL" performance from Port Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon was the decisive factor in the Power's 67-point thumping of Collingwood, coach Ken Hinkley said.
Jake Neade (four goals), Aaron Young (24 disposals and four goals) and Jarman Impey (22 and six inside 50s) were all crucial in the win, but, in Hinkley's eyes, they did not have the kind of influence Dixon exerted throughout the match.
"They were really good but I thought the big full forward was special. I thought he was fantastic, Charlie," Hinkley said after the game.
"I said to the boys (coaching panel) in the rooms that it was nearly the best game he's played for us this year.
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"The small boys, Jakey, Jars (Impey), Chad and 'Youngy', all hit the scoreboard in a big way but I think a lot of it came off the back of his (Dixon's) work."
Dixon went goalless against the Magpies at the MCG on Sunday, with just three marks and 14 disposals to his name on the stats sheet.
But it was Dixon's ability to consistently compete in the air, often against two defenders as Collingwood dropped a man behind the ball, that won high praise from Hinkley.
Dixon told AFL.com.au after the matchthat he felt like he found the right balance in his aggression at the contest against the Magpies.
The burly forward had been criticised for giving away cheap free kicks and losing control of his temper earlier in the season.
"It's something you can't do anything about when it doesn't go your way, so there's no point in getting angry and giving away stupid free kicks," Dixon said.
"I just tried to keep it (frustration) inside and take it to my next contest."
Port Adelaide enters next week's crunch clash against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval next Saturday afternoon at 6-5 and with the prospect of finals looming large.
Hinkley said it was time to make a season-defining statement against the Bulldogs.
"I said a couple of weeks ago that we're at the corner, we're having a little look around the corner, but we've just got to be convinced that we've got to go around the corner," Hinkley said.
"It's a big challenge next week and I hope all our fans turn up. We've dropped away a little bit because we haven't been consistent for them.
"I'd like to think they're watching us over the last couple of weeks and they're thinking we're coming back to watch you play and we'll fill up Adelaide Oval next week."
In bad news for the Power, Hinkley all but confirmed veteran defender Alipate Carlile's 2016 season was over after he injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the SANFL on Saturday. Carlile has not played senior football since round two.
Recruit Jimmy Toumpas also injured his ankle in Saturday's clash against Glenelg and is in doubt for next week.
In better news, Hinkley said key forward Jay Schulz and Matt White would most likely be ready to return after Port Adelaide's bye in round 14.
Schulz has not played since round one after receiving advice from a specialist that he needed surgery to repair a prolapsed disc in his back. White has also been absent since the opening round after injuring his pectoral muscle.
"I'm getting a bit excited that they might be nearly back," Hinkley said.
