Defender Oskar Dillon stars as Gold Coast Knights survive NPL scare to beat Easts 3-2

DEFENSIVE rock Oskar Dillon is putting a tumultuous off-season behind him to continue his emergence as part of the Gold Coast Knights’ premiership push.

DEFENSIVE rock Oskar Dillon is putting a tumultuous off-season behind him to continue his emergence as part of the Gold Coast Knights’ premiership push.

The 20-year-old was at the centre of a major NPL tug of war during pre-season, signing with Gold Coast United to partner former Socceroo Michael Thwaite before returning to the Knights in November.

But the saga has taken no toll on his on-field performances, with his stellar form underlined with a man-of-the-match effort in Saturday night’s 3-2 win over Easts at Coorparoo.

NEW KNIGHT FINDING TOP FORM

The second-placed Knights appeared to be cruising to their seventh win of the season after goals from Jayden Prasad and Nick Panetta gave them a 2-0 halftime lead, before Easts hit back shortly after the break.

The visitors’ two-goal buffer was then restored in the 66th minute through Jarrod Kyle but they were forced to endure some anxious moments in the dying stages after a second Tigers goal.

Gold Coast Knights defender Oskar Dillon in action against SWQ Thunder in February. Picture: John Gass

Former Palm Beach and Gold Coast City star Dillon was strong throughout and said he was still working towards his dreams of a professional contract.

“You always want to go a little bit higher but I’m still young. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and if something does come around I will be happy,” Dillon, a product of Palm Beach Currumbin’s Football Excellence Program, said.

LADY LUCK SHINES ON BURLEIGH

“I’m happy I came back (to the Knights), I think it was the best decision for me to come back. It will benefit me in the long run hopefully.

“I think what we’re doing at the Knights is great and they are heading in the same direction as I am. I thought I played alright (on Saturday), I probably could’ve played a little bit better the last 20 minutes.

“The game was a bit scrappy. It was hard to get going and the pitch was slow.

“We were in control and the last half-hour we couldn’t keep the ball and kept making mistakes. It could’ve been a lot easier than that.”

Despite their late dip, Dillon said the ability to win ugly was crucial as the Knights look to keep pace with unbeaten Peninsula Power.

“That’s the main thing (that we won). We don’t want to let that gap (to Power) get too big,” he said ahead of Saturday’s Round 4 FFA Cup clash with Sunshine Coast Fire at Carrara.

“We need to make sure we win all these games to stay in the top four. United are on our tail as well and we have got a few hard games coming up.

IN-FORM COLTS HAPPY TO PLAY UGLY

“I think we’re starting to hit our straps, which is good. The first two or three games was shaky. A few players coming has helped a bit and hopefully we can kick on for the rest of the season.”

United, who travel to Brisbane City in the cup on Tuesday night, moved into the NPL top on Saturday with a 3-1 win at home to Western Pride.

Midfielder Cian Cuba opened and closed the scoring, while Tommy Miller bagged his first goal of the season.