Port Adelaide forwards Charlie Dixon and Orazio Fantasia have been referred to surgeons for leg injuries, with their pre-seasons now under a cloud.
Dixon landed on a teammate’s foot in a marking contest during a training drill on Friday, and tore ligaments in his left ankle.
A Port Adelaide statement has confirmed the spearhead will be in a moon boot for some time while his ankle heals.
Dixon was the leading goal kicker at Alberton in each of the past two seasons, and his improvement was recognised with All-Australian selection in 2020.
The 31-year-old’s structural importance to the Power can’t be understated, with Todd Marshall to this point a tease and Mitch Georgiades still developing his body and craft.
Dixon was first for average contested marks in his All-Australian season (2.6) and third last season (2.5), and spent the sixth-most time on the ground of any player in 2021.
Fantasia went under the knife last season having experienced persistent soreness in his left knee, and returned to play five games.
The 26-year-old went on to boot four goals in the qualifying final victory over Geelong, but has since experienced issues with his other knee.
The former Bomber has an extensive history of bumps and bruises, having played only 33 games in his final three seasons for Essendon as he battled soft tissue injuries.
At his best, the livewire forward is a source of electric speed and goal sense.
Fantasia snagged 39 goals in 2017, his best season for his former club, and racked up 28 in his first season for Port Adelaide despite having missed nine games.
Port Adelaide will face Fremantle and Adelaide in scratch matches before opening its season away to Brisbane on Saturday March 19.