Options drying up for A-League gig
FORMER Sunshine Coast Fire goalkeeper Jerrad Tyson remains hopeful of signing with a new A-League club for next season after being rejected by Sydney FC.
But Tyson, who was left without an A-League contract following Gold Coast United's shock demise at the end of last season, admitted yesterday that his chances of signing with a club were getting "slimmer".
In what he describes as a temporary situation, the keeper has signed with Brisbane Premier League side Brisbane Olympic for a "few games".
If he failed to secure a new A-League contract for next season, the 22-year-old said he had a "quite solid" offer from an Asian club.
Earlier this month it was reported that Sydney FC was set to announce Tyson as Ivan Necevski's back-up, but Vedran Janjetovic won a three-way battle for the No.2 keeper spot.
Tyson learned of Sydney FC's decision after he finished a week-long trial last week.
The former Australian under-23 and under-20 custodian - who made 15 appearances for Gold Coast United and before that played eight games for the Brisbane Strikers - described the club's move to opt for Janjetovic over him as a "spilt decision".
"They sent me an email to say it's in the club's best interests to go with a local player, which is fair enough," he said.
"The A-League's in a bit of a way at the moment.
"Each club is looking to development players in its own state … I certainly respect their decision."
Tyson said it was likely "one or two" A-League keeper positions would materialise before pre-season training commenced.
"I'm hoping something will come up before that. If not, I've got a few things in the pipeline that hopefully I can take advantage of," he said.
Tyson had earlier signalled his intention to play for the Sunshine Coast Fire while he searched for another A-League outfit, but he said yesterday that it had been decided such a move would be "disruptive" to the club.
Fire keeper Dale Hill has been in good form this season and Coast coach Richard Hudson has said he will not entertain the idea of Tyson replacing the rookie.
Hudson was forced to publicly back Hill after Sunshine Coast skipper Tyson Holmes called for his former teammate Tyson to be given a go at the Fire.
