SPEARHEAD Charlie Dixon made an impressive return to Premiership football on a disappointing afternoon at Metricon Stadium, the home team falling away in the final term as Carlton secured the 43-point victory.

The 22-year-old Gold Coaster was relentless in his chase for the contested football, finishing with a solid 17 disposals, four contested marks and ten hit-outs in his first AFL Premiership match in six weeks. 

For senior coach Guy McKenna, the dynamic of his forwardline looked significantly more dangerous this afternoon with Dixon’s towering 200cm and 105kg frame roaming around goals. 

“I thought Charlie created some headaches for us going forward, then going in the ruck he had to shoulder most of the burden when he wasn’t expected to do so,” McKenna said.

“He fought on manfully.”