Newcomers ready for Ballarat debut

A-LEAGUE club Western United will return to Mars Stadium this Sunday for a clash with the Brisbane Roar, and there’ll be some new faces running onto the park.

Since United were last in the city they have acquired pieces including defenders Tomi Uskok and Oskar Dillon.

Signed about six weeks ago from a club tryout, 20-year-old Gold Coast native Dillion has been quick to make the starting 11.

“Coach Mark Rudan invited me to a few training camps when he was in Wellington and then he asked me to come down for a trial with Western United,” he said. “The he said, ‘yeah, I want to sign you’, so I moved down.

“I’ve played the last few games. It’s good. It’s obviously a step up.”

Dillon’s also said he was embracing the club’s push for hearts and minds west of the Maribyrnong River.

“Hopefully we can get that whole western community and get a bigger following,” he said. “Once we get our stadium it’ll be good get as much of the community around us as we can.”

During Western United’s time in the region players took part in community events as well as presented Ballarat and District Soccer Association president Herman Bogers with a team jersey.

Western United take on Brisbane Roar on Sunday at Mars Stadium. Kick-off is at 4pm.