Dillon Returns To GCC
Words: Garry McKenzie
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland
Gold Coast City have announced Riley Dillon has returned to the club for the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland 2016 season.
The 20-year-old fullback joins Daniel Dragicevic as the second member of the double-winning 2014 side to return to the club after taking the opportunity to play interstate last season.
Dillon scored six goals in 45 appearances in his first stint at Palm Beach SC before linking up with third tier PlayStation 4 NPL 1 West Victoria side Bendigo City in 2015 – netting five times in 16 matches.
Despite a tough season for the regional Victorian club, who finished the campaign second from bottom, Dillon said he had no regrets about the switch.
“I decided to move to Bendigo to change things up and experience something new, and it was a good decision which I gained a lot from,” Dillon explained.
He added he is now looking forward to his return to PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland and said he is impressed by the formation and promise of Gold Coast City.
“I see the Gold Coast City change as a step in the right direction for football on the Gold Coast,” he asserted.
Dillon formed a formidable combination on the right flank with Dragicevic in 2014 and said he saw plenty of potential for the team to build on past achievements.
“Dan is a great player who I enjoyed playing alongside and knowing we will both be back is definitely something I'm looking forward to,” Dillon said.
“Based on the squad we've put together, I believe it's stronger and a lot deeper than we had in 2014.”
“It would be nice to think we can achieve what we did in 2014 and possibly go one step further in the FFA cup,” he concluded.
Gold Coast City coach Grae Piddick said Dillon’s return was a vindication of the club’s set-up and the comradery many of the players forged in 2014.
“It probably didn’t work out as well as he would like at Bendigo – not for his own performances but from a team point of view,” Piddick explained.
“It probably shows that going down to Victoria isn’t the be-all and end-all and, if you can play with some mates and in a good set-up, then you can enjoy your football and still get noticed,” he concluded.
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