VFL: Jesse Palmer inspired by Cam O’Shea’s Carlton chance as ex-Port Adelaide forward impresses for Northern Blues

JESSE Palmer has revealed his former Port Adelaide teammate Cam O’Shea’s return to the AFL ranks helped seal his signature for Northern Blues.

Northern Blues’ Jesse Palmer gathers possession. Picture: Tim Murdoch.

JESSE Palmer has revealed his former Port Adelaide teammate Cam O’Shea’s return to the AFL ranks helped seal his signature for Northern Blues.

O’Shea won the VFL club’s best and fairest last year and was rewarded with a spot on Carlton’s senior list this season.

Palmer played three games with the Power between 2015-2017 after being selected with pick No. 78 in the 2014 AFL national draft.

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The 21-year-old set his sights on a return to Victoria when he was cut by Port Adelaide and sought advice from O’Shea after the Blues came calling.

“He pretty much just told me the Northern Blues were really good and (coach) Josh Fraser was a ripper, which he is,” Palmer said. “I spoke to him and he spoke highly of Northern Blues. He was a big factor in coming across.”

Palmer said O’Shea’s return to the elite level proved a state league career resurrection was possible.

“It motivates you to try and do the same,” he said.

“Try and play some great footy and hopefully good things will happen.

“He was fantastic last year and I am really proud of what he has been able to do.”

Jesse Palmer gets a handball away during a VFL game against Geelong. Picture: Amy Paton.

Drafted from North Ballarat Rebels as a forward, Palmer has split his time between midfield and attack since returning to Victoria.

While the Blues have endured a difficult campaign, Palmer has averaged 12.6 disposals, 4.9 marks and 3.9 tackles per match. His four-goal effort against Port Melbourne led Fraser to say he was “sure there will be AFL clubs having a look at him”.

“Getting drafted and that sort of thing, I can’t really control that,” Palmer said.

“All you can control is trying to play the footy you want to play. As long as I can do that, I will be happy.”

Palmer applied for about 10 houses when he returned to Victoria and lucked out when he landed a property in Brunswick, which was only a few drop punts from Princes Park.

Living in Carlton heartland, Palmer has quickly come to love the Blues and wants to help their VFL affiliate taste success in the remaining rounds of 2018.

“The results haven’t come through, but in the second half of the year, just looking at our draw, I reckon we should be able to find some form and hopefully get a few more wins,” he said.