It’s been a whirlwind few months for former New Zealand youth international Briar Palmer, who initially arrived in Australia in July to play with Ashburton United in the Women’s Premier League.
Following a productive spell in Victoria’s top flight, she’s now featuring on the national stage as a regular starter in Melbourne Victory’s W-League team.
After being lured to Australia by teammate and international counterpart, Emma Checker, the 20-year-old’s performances for Ashburton – falling agonisingly short of a WPL Grand Final appearance – caught Victory’s attention.
“[I came to Australia] through Emma Checker. I played against Emma and Australia during U17 and U20 internationals, so we knew each other from there and basically I messaged her one day and asked if she had contacts to the W-League or if her [state] club coach was looking for any players,” Palmer recalled.
“She said she could help me out and to come over anyway because Sinisa [Ashburton coach Sinisa Cohadzic] was looking for players at Ashburton.
“It was a bummer we missed out on a trophy, I could tell the team had worked hard all season, they were very passionate.
“At the end though it was great to join them and I hope I added a bit to the team.”
Palmer was one a strong contingent from Ashburton to earn W-League selection, joining teammates Laura Spiranovic and Georgia Cloepfil at Victory, while youngster Melina Ayres was signed by crosstown rivals Melbourne City, and Checker was picked up by defending champions Canberra United alongside goalkeeper Melissa Maizels.
A rare commodity as a natural left footer, the technically gifted Kiwi has featured both on the wing and at fullback for Victory, often assuming set piece responsibilities.
Despite Victory’s early struggles in the league, the move has put the ambitious Palmer in the national spotlight, which she hopes to use as a springboard for future success.
“I always had high hopes to [play in the W-League]. That was my intention coming to Australia,” she said.
“I didn’t expect to [be signed] at all, but it was my goal and I was very excited when I was.
“Being in a bigger country with a bigger pool of players, I’m very excited to be playing against more challenging teams and hopefully from here I’ll see where it leads me.”
One of the achievements waiting to be ticked off Palmer’s list is a debut senior national appearance for New Zealand.
She’d join Kiwi trio Rebekah Stott (Melbourne City and former Melbourne Victory, Elizabeth Milne (Adelaide United) and Emma Kete (Canberra United) as current W-League players to have also represented the Football Ferns.
While national selection is an aspiration for Palmer, she says her most immediate priority is to work on improving as a player in her first season in the W-League.
“I grew up playing in the New Zealand W-league, which is smaller compared to here, and I eventually moved to Auckland where New Zealand football is mainly based,” she said.
“I trained for the U17 World Cup in Azerbaijan in 2012 and then then in 2014 I went to the U20 World Cup in Canada.”
“It’s always a goal playing for your country, it’d be an amazing feeling [playing for the seniors] as it was playing for the age groups, but for now I know I need to improve a few things.
“I like to work on my game, I’d like to see myself as a better player before I make that team, but definitely a goal I’d like to experience.”