From kicking the first goal in SUNS history to booting the most goals in a match, Charlie Dixon has certainly lived up to the hype which surrounded the arrival of the kid from Cairns on the Gold Coast.

In this week’s episode of SUNS TV Player Feature, the North Queensland product opens up about life before football and what is was like growing up in the tropics.

“Coming from Cairns we lived in Redlynch, Mum and Dad are still there, living on an acre, so we always had plenty of room to ride bikes, kick the footy and stay active,” he said.

“So we have a pretty good lifestyle growing up.”

While a troubling ankle injury impacted much of Dixon’s 2013 campaign, limiting the mobile ruck-forward to just 10 from a possible 19 games to-date, it hasn’t stopped the versatile giant from producing a string of impressive performances – most notably his historic six-goal showing against the GWS Giants in Canberra in Round 5.

Dixon says his progress has all stemmed from an off-season conversation he had with his parents during the player’s holiday break, where he planned out his goals for the upcoming 2013 AFL Premiership Season.

“I did set some goals before I left Cairns with Mum and Dad, more so wanting to play as many senior games as I could this year,” Dixon said.

Having built a close relationship with the Gold Coaster during his extended time on the sidelines, GC SUNS rehabilitation coach Max Kennedy says Dixon’s style of play and intimidating 200cm frame made him a frightening target on the footy field. 

“Charlie is unpredictable,” Kennedy put it.

“He likes playing hard and as an opposition player you’re always on the look-out for him because you know when he hits you it’s going to hurt.”

“He’s like a Cannon ball in the contest.”

While Dixon’s hard-nosed, no-nonsense style of play is revered by team mates around the change rooms, the man says he tries not to put too much pressure on himself – revealing he does his best not to think too much about his game-day.

“I don’t really have too many expectations and I don’t try to think too much before games because I know what I have to do once I’m out on the field.

“The weekend matches have always been my days and I live to play footy.”

“I don’t like the weekdays too much,” he laughs.