It has been a busy couple of weeks for one of Melbourne’s two Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees in 2010, and as of Monday, there was no stopping Brian Dixon as the activities rolled on.
From induction alongside 1941 premiership player Stan ‘Pops’ Heal late last week, through to interviews galore, and tied up with the Walk to the ‘G and celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the 1960 premiership, Dixon was a headline presence.
With thirteen of his teammates there, it was a great opportunity for Dixon, in the midst of much media attention, to ‘catch up with everyone. It’s a great occasion, and I’m enjoying it very much.’
By the time the 1960 players were due to make their way out onto the ground, Dixon’s recognition factor had increased tenfold, with a small boy in a Melbourne cap and t-shirt piping up in excitement, ‘There’s Brian Dixon!’
In a splendid link across the generations, youngsters wearing the guernsey numbers of 1960 pursued autographs, and were soon proudly parading the names of half a century ago, from Mann and Dixon to Thorogood, Adams and other greats to grace the MCG on that one day in September.
It was the grand seal on a wonderful week for Dixon and his family, all of whom were delighted along with the five-time premiership player, renowned for his attacking style and sometimes wayward kicking in No. 9.
‘It was a magnificent occasion, and a great surprise’, he said, in a sentiment echoed by wife Carmel.
There was very little chance for him to draw breath, either, with his return home recognised in touching style.
‘After the induction, all my family came back to the hotel and we celebrated. So we had very little sleep - just a couple of hours. And when I arrived back home, on Sunday everyone in Mansfield and Jamieson had a party for me. It was wonderful,’ Dixon said.
While he may have been weary, Dixon did not let it get to him.
Sharp and attentive through his playing, coaching, political and teaching careers, even now he advocates passionately for the game he loves, renowned for his efforts in South Africa, and a brilliant ambassador for Melbourne with his induction and his place in a golden generation.
With premierships to his credit in 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964, MFC Hall of Fame induction, membership of the Team of the Century, and ‘Hero’ status in the Club’s 150th in 2008, the name and achievements of Brian Dixon stand forever proud in the history and heritage of the Melbourne Football Club.
