Rising defender Oskar Dillon drawing on Gold Coast Knights experience with A-League’s Western United

Oskar Dillon is drawing on his time alongside former A-League title winners Mitch Nichols and Matt Smith as he embarks on his own professional journey with Western United.

OSKAR Dillon is drawing on his time alongside former A-League title winners Mitch Nichols and Matt Smith as he embarks on his own professional journey with Western United.

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Having claimed the NPL Queensland’s Young Player of the Year award in 2019 after guiding Gold Coast Knights to grand final glory, Dillon was last Thursday handed a deal with A-League newcomers Western United until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old defender was an unused substitute in Friday night’s 3-2 loss to Melbourne City and will now set his sights on a top-flight debut in their next outing against Central Coast on January 19.

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Long regarded as one of the Coast’s best youngsters, Dillon benefited from the presence of Nichols and Smith at the Knights last year and is using their tutelage to pursue his A-League ambitions.

“I think Matty played a massive role (in my development),” Dillon said of his central defensive partner.

“He was only with us for (the back half of the season) but he helped a lot with my defensive positioning and all the little things you don’t understand until you have someone there like him. Mitchy was good as well with all the off-field stuff.

Western United signing Oskar Dillon in action for Gold Coast Knights in last year’s NPL Queensland grand final. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“(Playing A-League) was always the main goal. It is hard to get in but once you get in you can sniff your way around and there might be pathways to other things.

“Ideally I want to try and stay at this club, they’ve given me my first deal. I’ve just signed on til the end of the season at this stage and see what happens after that.

“I’m feeling confident, I’m backing my own ability and if I keep going the way I am and do all the extras in the gym I’m confident I’ll get a deal for next year. I just want to keep cracking on and get my first appearance.”

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United coach Mark Rudan has had Dillon on his radar for the past 18 months.

A hard-nosed defender throughout a seven-year A-League career, former Wellington coach Rudan invited Dillon to train with the Phoenix during their Gold Coast camps last year.

They have remained in regular contact since, with Dillon arriving in Melbourne on Boxing Day to begin a trial with United.

Dillon with his NPL Young Player of the Year award. Supplied.

“He flew me down for the week, I played a friendly game … and he pulled me aside after that and said he was happy with what I was doing and he wanted to sign me,” Coffs Harbour-raised Dillon said.

“All the boys have been welcoming. I had my first game the other night (and) I was on the bench but it was good to be a part of.

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“I think there’s 14 or 15 games left this season so ideally I’d love to get an appearance in between there. There’s a few experienced centre backs here so it will be hard but if I do get an opportunity hopefully I can make the most of it.

“I’m really close with all my family so it’s obviously a hard move (from the Coast) but you’ve got to sacrifice some things. The Knights is a good club as well and they went over and above to help me.

“I think it’s just my time to do my own thing.”