Welcome back Charles.
One thing with Dixon and I have been more critical of him than most, is that I believe he benefited from SANFL time more than physically. Over the last few years he has been a guy that has had spells of ineffectiveness where he just seems to forget and lose faith in what he can do. Dropping back to the Magpies and beating up a few second grade footballers is good for his confidence and affirmation and I think something he could've used in the past. I think he's on a good track now to recover his 2017 touch hopefully (ken permitting).
Also think his run in the Magpies made him aware of how much the Port Adelaide community value him. Being from Queensland and playing for the Gold Coast, he just didn't quite get what footy means in the heartland. I reckon he's genuinely touched by what the supporters feel for him. It's more than playing for yourself and collecting a pay cheque. I think in his time out of the game he's developed a greater appreciation of that.