Dillon’s dilemma

THE future of rising defender Oskar Dillon has been thrown into doubt as soon-to-be NPL rivals Gold Coast United and Gold Coast Knights clamour for his signature.

Less than two months after signing with United from the Knights, 19-year-old Dillon is again at the centre of a tug-ofwar for his services.

With NPL contracts unable to be lodged with Football Queensland until January, Knights president Adrian Puljich said the club had successfully persuaded the Premier League-winning player to turn his back on the chance to partner Michael Thwaite in the United backline.

But the news came as a surprise to United chairman Danny Maher, who was adamant the Palm Beach Currumbin High product had given no indication he wanted out.

“Oskar has a contract with us at the moment so until I or Mark Anderson (director of football operations) terminate it he is one of our players,” Maher said. “Football Queensland is irrelevant. There is a significant legal issue if you sign something with no intention of honouring it.

“He came to us for half of what the Knights offered him and we understand the Knights are offering him more money now.

“He has said he wants to stay and the Knights are putting pressure on him (but) at the end of the day we want the best for him.

“We won’t hold him back (if he wants to go). We want people who are here for football reasons.

“We don’t want a player who doesn’t want to be with us, which is why I don’t understand what the Knights are doing.”

Puljich said he was confident Dillon would be at the Knights next season.

“As far as we’re concerned, he’s indicated he wants to come to the Gold Coast Knights. He has told me expressly in writing and in a message that he’s informed Kristian Rees (he’s leaving United),” Puljich said.