Advertisement

Giants’ Palmer rides ups, downs

Rhys Palmer has resurrected his career at Greater Western Sydney. Pic: Michael Willson/AFL Media

At 19 years old, having just been named the AFL’s Rising Star for 2008, Rhys Palmer had a pretty good idea what the rest of his career would look like.

Six months later, he learnt fate had other ideas.

“It obviously came, not crashing down, but doing my knee was a real wake-up call,” he said. “You realise how quick this game can change.”

Now 26, Palmer will tomorrow notch his 100th AFL game when Greater Western Sydney meet Gold Coast at StarTrack Oval in Canberra.

It’s a milestone which, for most players, represents a coming of age. The apprenticeship is over, now it’s time for them to come into their own as footballers.

But rather than an apprentice, Palmer approaches his 100-game mark more like a mature-aged student.

He’s seen his share of ups and downs over the journey and made some tough decisions, but is more confident than ever that he’s on the right track.

Palmer was a revelation in his first season at Fremantle, averaging 23 disposals in his 20 games and being voted Rising Star ahead of Hawthorn’s Cyril Rioli and Richmond’s Trent Cotchin.

The Dockers’ recruiting boss at the time, Phil Smart, said the East Fremantle teenager’s performances came as no surprise to the club, which had considered itself lucky to nab him with pick No.7 in the previous year’s national draft.

“We would have had him in our top two or three, absolutely,” Smart said.

“His disposal by foot wasn’t elite at the time, but he had ability in close, great decision-making in close, he was a clean ball handler, clean off the ground and really good with his hands and had really good awareness in tight situations.

“The thing which put Rhys on the back foot a bit was simply when he got injured.”

Five games into his second season, Palmer was carried off the field against Sydney with what would turn out to be a serious knee injury.

He returned in round six the following year, but wasn’t quite the same player.

It wasn’t because of a lack of effort or determination. In fact, his preparation had improved markedly as a result of the injury. But for some reason things just didn’t click.

After finding himself in and out of the side, Palmer made the decision to sign with GWS for their inaugural 2012 season, escaping the expectations he had become burdened with in his home State and starting with a clean slate.

Four years on, he is feeling as good as he ever has about his football.

He’s still not the most highly skilled player going around but, under the guidance of coach Leon Cameron, he has found a new role sacrificing his game for the good of the team as a lock-down forward.

Palmer’s competitiveness and desire to lift his side was evident against Sydney last Saturday, when he won the ball against two opponents on the boundary and kicked a remarkable goal on his way to three for the game.

And Cameron says Palmer’s influence goes far beyond what he does on the field.

“Every club will have those sort of players, whether it’s through injury or deficiencies in their game that they have to overcome, and they do it by just their sheer effort,” Cameron said.

“They’re the sort of players who spiritually hold the group together, and Rhys Palmer is one of those players.”

It’s not quite what he imagined back in 2008, but with his team on the cusp of matching it with the competition’s elite, it’s one he remains truly grateful for every time he pulls on the jumper.

“I don’t have to look too far. Jonny Patton in my side did a knee then came back, had a good year and did his knee again,” he said. “Although I didn’t come back and perform at my best, at least I got back.

“I might not be the most classy, but as long as I’m playing and playing my part for this side, that’s all that really matters to me.”