Sturt’s former Olympic beach volleyballer Becchara Palmer wins SANFLW Player of the Week award

AFTER retiring from a successful beach volleyball career that led her to Olympic representation, Crows AFLW rookie Becchara Palmer has made strides in her Australian football journey, winning the SANFLW Player of the Week award for Sturt.

SANFLW Player of the Week is Sturt forward Becchara Palmer. Palmer is also a Crows rookie and a former Australian beach volleyballer. Picture: SIMON CROSS

FORMER beach volleyball Olympian Becchara Palmer says she will never forget the feeling of playing in Sturt’s historic first SANFLW win.

Palmer, also a rookie with the Crows’ AFLW side, played a huge role in the Double Blues’ two-point victory over Glenelg at Norwood Oval last Friday.

The London 2012 Olympian booted three goals and collected 11 possessions to in the 4.8 (32) to 4.6 (30) victory.

Palmer’s display also earned her The Advertiser’s Statewide Super SANFLW Player of the Week.

“I am really stoked to be out there,” Palmer, 29, said.

“Getting the win and it being the first win for the Sturt women’s team was really significant and special.

“Everyone was pretty up and about and there was a bit of Gatorade and water thrown everywhere.”

The six-time Australian beach volleyball champion walked away from the sport in June, calling time on a 13-year professional career.

She was then offered a rookie contract with the Crows for this AFLW season but has yet to make her national league debut.

Palmer was unsure if she would get to pull on a Crows guernsey this year with just three minor rounds remaining and the club unlikely to play in the grand final.

But she was keen to help Sturt secure a few more wins before the SANFLW season ended.

“The feedback (from the Crows) has been just to keep learning and keep growing, which has always been my intention,” Palmer said.

“I don’t really have any expectations in terms of whether I play a game for the Crows this season or not.

“I am really happy and really satisfied with what I’m doing at the moment.

“I’m just happy to be part of an awesome squad with Sturt.”

Palmer’s ability to pick up quickly may not come as a shock to some, as she is the niece of South Adelaide 337-game great Stuart Palmer.

“He (Stuart) is very supportive,” Palmer said.

“I get a text from him pretty much each week after every game with some little gem of wisdom, which is really nice.”

“It’s nice to feel like I’m carrying on with the family legacy.”