The former Gold Coast forward has been sidelined for the past month after corrective surgery to a meniscus problem in his left knee.

“He’s ready to go,” teammate Jackson Trengove told reporters today ahead of Port’s last pre-season game against Richmond on March 10.

“His body is in good nick and he’s ready to play.”

Key defender Trengove often was pitted against Dixon during his 65-game stint with the Suns.

“He is a monster,” Trengove said.

“Even when he was up at Gold Coast he was always a hard target… he is going to cause some headaches because he’s a big strong man, I think he’s about 110 kilos.

“But then he’s really good at ground level and his pressure is awesome, so he’s going to be exciting to have on our team – I’m glad I’m not playing on him.”

Port are winless in two pre-season games, with coach Ken Hinkley blasting their lack of effort in the second half of a 19-point loss to Melbourne last Saturday – a message that has resonated with Power players.

“I don’t think it’s ever good to play like we did – it was a half of okay footy at the start then no effort in the second half,” Trengove said.

“Our playing group is better than that. We realise it wasn’t good enough.

“But it is early in the year and we are able to rectify and fix it… obviously next week’s performance is going to be pretty crucial going into Round One.

“It might not be a win, it has just got to be the effort and the Port Adelaide style of footy that we want to play.”

-AAP