Palm has Barras close to her heart

GABRIELLA Palm is back in Brisbane and in Barra colours for the Water Polo Queensland Premier League which reaches the semi-final stage on Sunday at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

After Round 5 competition in the morning and early afternoon, the semi-finals for both the women’s and men’s divisions will be contested.

The respective winners will qualify for the grand finals on November 22 at the Valley pool in Brisbane.

Australian players like Bronwen Knox, Rhys Howden, Abby Andrews, Palm, Alice Williams, Nic Porter, past championships and the best of the Queensland Thunder and club talent will competing across six clubs.

Palm, the Australian water polo team goalkeeper, moved from Brisbane to Sydney last season to link with Sydney University where she felt it would benefit her development.

It worked because she has progressed to become Australia’s No.1 keeper.

But due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the postponement of the national league until April, Palm is now part of Queensland star power which has engulfed the inaugural Water Polo Queensland Premier League.

Palm, who is Queensland to the core no matter what postcode she is living in, said it was nice to be representing her club Barracudas again.

“We have the Thunder but you miss not playing for your mates’ club,” she said. “It has been great to pull the Barras togs on and play with the junior girls as well. I love it.’’

The Queensland Premier League matches are being live streamed by the Bulletin at goldcoastbulletin.com.au