Trio set to boost Sharks
Palm Beach lock in talent
FOOTBALL: The comforts of home have helped Palm Beach secure the return of Fraser Eller, Matt Hibbs and Jackson Boyd for this season’s Gold Coast Premier League.
Having narrowly missed a top-four spot last year, the Sharks’ 2020 finals hopes have been given a boost by the recruitment of the trio ahead of season kick off on March 6.
Goalkeeper Boyd was Palm Beach’s club captain before departing midway through last season to join NPL outfit Gold Coast United, while midfielder Hibbs was a Premier League regular with the Sharks prior to stints with Murwillumbah and Mudgeeraba.
Eller, a 20-year-old striker, was a member of the Brisbane Strikers squad that won the 2017 NPL title before an upand-down season with United in which he was switched to defence.
The Palm Beach junior returned to Duncan McKenna Field in 2019 but made a lateseason switch to Nerang after falling behind Dan Smith in the frontline pecking order.
However, he remains on good terms with coach Brett Budwee and is looking forward to reuniting with his one-time Sharks teammates.
“I had no real intentions this season other than going to Palm Beach. All my best mates were there and I had one of the most enjoyable seasons I’ve had up until halfway through the season,” Eller said.
“Probably the main reason (I came back) is I’m a big fan of Brett. Getting some clarity around why I left, Brett and I have talked that out.
“He wanted to play another guy in my position but that’s all sorted now. We spoke about what I wanted to do and what he wanted from me so I’ve got a bit more certainty around that no.9 position.
“It’s good to know if I’m performing (I’ll be in the team). Even when I left, we left on good terms. We’d known each other for years so I knew we’d be fine.”
With his focus now firmly on the Sharks’ Round 1 battle with Broadbeach United, Eller said he was desperate to taste finals football.
“Especially the boys that have been in the team for a couple of years now, it’s kind of a do-or-die season. This is the year we finally put our foot down and contend and hopefully go all the way,” he said.
“I enjoyed it while I was there (at Nerang) but I was pretty keen to get back to Palmy. I know all the boys there, it’s like a family.”