Aussie Stingers’ keeper has eyes on Olympics after establishing herself in national team

Australian water polo goalkeeper establishes herself in national side and has eyes for 2020 Olympics.

Australia's goalkeeper Gabriella Palm during the women's bronze medal match between Australia and Hungary of the water polo event at the 2019 World Championships. Picture: Ed JONES/AFP

AUSTRALIAN water polo goalkeeper Gabriella Palm has well and truly found her voice in the national team, establishing herself in the top side.

The Chelmer resident had a 2018 to remember, playing nations like USA, China, Spain, Hungry and Greece before the World Cup in Russia where her side snatched a treasured bronze medal.

She has followed that up by helping Australia claim a silver medal at the FINA World League Inter-Continental Cup earlier this month after a courageous effort against the world and Olympic champions, the USA.

SUBSCRIPTION DEAL: $1 A DAY FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS. MIN COST $28

Australia fought back from a four-goal deficit to force the game to a penalty shootout.

During her breakthrough season in 2018, the Brisbane Girls Grammar School past student had to develop her organisational skills and not shy away from being “quite demanding’’ in the goals.

“For me it was about being able to step up, take control and be assertive,’’ Palm said.

She said the role of the goalkeeper was to control the defence and with that responsibility came a requirement to speak up and be heard.

“That will be really important to keep developing over the next few years and learning how to use it (her voice) properly,’’ the Brisbane Barracudas junior said.

Australia's goalkeeper Gabriella Palm eyes the ball during the women's bronze medal match between Australia and Hungary of the water polo event at the 2019 World Championships. Picture: Ed JONES/AFP

Her latest assignment was playing for Australia at the world championships which have been contested in South Korea this month, where her team claimed a bronze medal.

Palm, who earlier this year competed with the Stingers at the World League finals, said both the team and herself made progress as she dares to dream about representing Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

At last year’s World Cup Australia toppled the powerhouse Spain en route to the podium which was a major achievement, and then earlier this year her Australian side took the USA to the brink of defeat.

Those performances were stepping stones and give the side confidence ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games.

To make the trip she had to recover from a broken bone in her hand.