Pain of Jackson Boyd exit compounded at Palm Beach as Fraser Eller joins Nerang

PALM Beach’s Gold Coast Premier League pain over the loss of captain Jackson Boyd has been compounded by the departure of another high-profile teammate to a rival club.

PALM Beach’s Gold Coast Premier League pain over the loss of captain Jackson Boyd has been compounded by the departure of teammate Fraser Ellis.

Still reeling from the sudden exit of goalkeeper Boyd to join Gold Coast United, the Sharks’ finals quest has taken another hit with striker Eller switching to Premier League rivals Nerang.

A prized off-season signing for the Sharks following a difficult campaign with Gold Coast United in 2018, the 19-year-old has found himself stuck behind Dan Smith in the attacking pecking order in recent weeks.

FOOTBALL COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND GRIEVING FAMILY

Nerang have struggled for goals amid injuries to Koki Miyasaka and Alistair Davis, and coach Dave Benigno said Eller, an NPL title winner with the Brisbane Strikers in 2017, could be the solution.

“It’s good timing for us to pick up someone young and hungry You only have to look at his stats in the NPL to see he can score goals,” Benigno said.

Palm Beach striker Fraser Eller has joined Nerang.

“There was no hard feelings (with Palm Beach), it was just looking for a new challenge as a player and that was it. He was very respectful in how he carried himself in talking about (Palm Beach’s) Brett (Budwee, coach) and Duncan (McKenna, president).

“I made it very clear to Palm Beach a couple of days ago that I don’t approach players once the season starts. The conversation just needs to be had whether he takes to the park (against Tweed United tomorrow) or not. There’s a lot of deciding factors.”

UNITED IN NO RUSH TO FIND NEW COACH

Boyd, who will assume the gloves from United keeper Duro Dragicevic when he leaves to take up a scholarship in the US in the coming days, said exiting Palm Beach was “easily the toughest decision I’ve had to make in football”.

“Being deep into the season with the team and myself being captain, the decision to leave Palmy and sign with GCU was something that weighed extremely heavily on me,” the 21-year-old said.

“I firmly believe that part of the reason that I’ve been given an opportunity like this is because of the foundations and support Brett (Budwee, coach) and Palm Beach have given me as a footballer and I’ll be forever grateful for that.

MIDFIELDER’S COSTLY MISTAKE AND CRASHING COLTS - FOOTBALL REPORT

“Brett, in particular, has played a big role in my development as a player and as a person, I owe him a lot. But as a footballer, you just never know what’s ahead or how many opportunities like this you’ll get. It was just too hard to pass up.”

Gold coast United recruit Jackson Boyd in action for Palm Beach. Picture: East End Digital

United coach Kristian Rees said Boyd would be a valuable addition to his squad as they chase an NPL top-four spot.

“Jackson’s an important signing for us with Duro leaving for college in the US and Tim Lahiff currently unavailable,” Rees said.

STAR’S STUNNING INTERSTATE SWITCH

“He’s another really good local young player who’s done well at Palm Beach and he has a good opportunity to continue developing in the NPL. I personally appreciate Brett’s support and acknowledge his understanding and his ongoing efforts to develop young Gold Coast players and support them to progress and develop to their full potential.”