Hometown hero Charlie Dixon will be given until the eleventh hour to prove his fitness, as the Cairns native looks overcome a calf complaint ahead of tomorrow’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Cazaly’s Stadium.

The Gold Coast power forward has wrestled with a corked calf muscle this week, after sustaining the injury during the second quarter of the team’s thrilling five-point win over Collingwood on Saturday.

Guy McKenna told The Cairns Post Dixon would be closely monitored by the club’s medical staff, but remained optimistic his hulking forward would be passed fit.

“We’ve got our fingers, legs and everything else crossed,” McKenna said.

“He’s done a power of work to give himself every chance.”

While a troublesome adductor injury has already seen Dixon miss a month of football this season, that hasn’t stopped the 200cm spearhead from taking that next step, with his four-goal performance against the Bulldogs in round ten highlighting his stark improvement.

With fellow key forward partners Tom Lynch and Sam Day also under the age of 23, McKenna has a triple-vaunted attack that would be the envy of most clubs.

“It’s the tip of the iceberg,” McKenna said.

“Charlie will only get better which is good for us and frightening for the rest of the competition.”

Looking ahead, the four-year SUNS mentor said his side his looking forward to building on their impressive North Queensland performances, having won two of their three AFL Premiership matches in Cairns.

“It’s a unique ground and the conditions are similar to the Gold Coast so we see that as an advantage,” he said.

“I think the boys really enjoy going up there and given the support we get up there it actually feels like a home game.”