Black & Whites add another Blue to their list with latest recruit

Chicken or Fish? It’s usually a conundrum you face when eating at your favourite restaurant… yet Swan Districts league coaches may face the same question in 2021 when voting for best on ground honours.

With the nickname of ‘Chooka’ (and before that ‘Chicken Parma’), Jesse Palmer will re-join VFL team mates Sam Fisher and Frank Anderson, along with former Northern Blue Deven Costigan, in the black and white for the upcoming WAFL season.

“It’s going to be good playing with them again” Jesse said. “I was good friends with Frank and lived with Fish (Sam Fisher) for a while, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Recruited to the club as an exciting medium-sized forward, his strong marking ability and work around the contested ball will link up nicely with 2020 Swans leading goal kicker, Leigh Kohlmann. He will also be able to provide some midfield relief, when needed, to the club's already strong engine room.

Originally from Ballarat, Jesse was drafted in 2014 by the Port Adelaide Football Club with their third selection, pick #78 overall. He spent three seasons with the Power before being delisted at the conclusion of the 2017 season. He signed on with the Northern Blues for 2018 and 2019 and was named in the VFL Team of the Year in his first season at the club.

Attempting to switch to the black and whites in season 2020, he made the move to the Collingwood Magpies VFL side but was unable to play due to the worldwide pandemic shutting football down in Victoria. His black and white dreams have now become a reality, albeit at a new club and in a different state.

“It’s always appealed to me to come and play in the WAFL” he said. “I’ve played in the SANFL and the VFL, and almost signed with Swan Districts for the 2020 season with Frank and Sam, but it wasn’t the right time with uni and things, so I’m really excited to be coming to play there next season now.”

Keep an eye out on our website and social media pages as we keep you up to date with our new recruits and all things Swan Districts heading into 2021.