‘I was hard done by’
Dragicevic’s Surfers Paradise switch playing off
SURFERS Paradise recruit Daniel Dragicevic has opened up about his sudden departure from the Gold Coast Knights, admitting he felt “hard done by” over his lack of game time with the NPL heavyweights.
A key member of the Knights’ title-winning Gold Coast Premier League teams in 2017 and 2018, Dragicevic left the club in late March before reuniting with former coach Alex Morrison at Surfers last month.
Stuck behind Jaiden Walker as the Knights’ first-choice right back, the 30-year-old (pictured) will make his third Premier League appearance for Apollo in tonight’s 8.30pm battle with Broadbeach United at Lex Bell Oval.
He said the decision to leave the Croatian Sports Centre, where he worked under former Palm Beach and Gold Coast City mentor Grae Piddick, had been tough but felt he had run out of options.
“It was just frustration with the lack of game time,” he said of his Knights exit.
“It was very, very hard (to leave) after the last two years being there. I felt I was one of
the most consistent players on the Gold Coast the last couple of years.
“This year I wanted to prove myself in the NPL and be a big part of the team. And then to not be given that chance, I felt I was hard done by a bit.
“I stuck around as long as I could but I just felt I was fighting a battle I wouldn’t win against Grae. Adrian (Puljich, president) and I talked a bit and I just said, ‘I’ve had enough of it’ and left. I didn’t actually speak to (Grae).”
Dragicevic’s time at Surfers has also been highlighted by comfortable FFA Cup wins over Maroochydore and Grange Thistle, with a Round 6 assignment looming at home to NPL outfit Moreton Bay United on May 24.
Sitting second in the league, Apollo will enter tonight’s game on the back of an 11-0 thumping of Tweed United and Dragicevic said they had the talent to push Burleigh for this year’s crown.
“It’s been good (joining Surfers). There’s a few things we need to improve on but I definitely think we’re a title shot,” he said.
“I played under Alex (Morrison) my first year at Knights ... I know what Alex is all about with how he wants to play .” “We will get Jaiden assessed to see what the full story is. We will know for sure in the next few days.”
Previously with Gold Coast City, Walker has consistently been among the Knights’ best this season and was named in Football Queensland’s NPL Team of the Week for his Round 7 display against Gold Coast United.
Sitting third, the Knights play away to Mackay and Whitsundays at 7pm on Saturday before hosting Peninsula Power in Round 6 of the FFA Cup on May 24.