Brendan Palmer was a skinny, quiet 17-year old when he played with Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) at last year’s NSW Schoolboy trials. 

While he gave it his all, he wasn’t quite ready just yet to match it with the best players in the state. 

In years gone by, underage players, who finished school early or graduated as 17-year olds often missed their opportunity to push for higher honours. 

But the NSW Country and Sydney pathway sides have changed that. 

Under the new system, Palmer was able to play with NSW Country as an 18-year old at this year’s NSW Schoolboy trials, despite finishing school last year. 

And those extra 12 months made a big difference. So much so, that after a season of colts with Hunter Wildfires in Newcastle, Palmer has been picked in the NSW U18s squad to play Queensland this weekend. 

“I’m a very different player to this time last year,” the softly spoken and humble outside back told Rugby News. 

“You can learn and develop a lot in 12 months at this age and playing a year of colts footy with older guys has helped a lot. My knowledge of the game, my skills and my confidence have improved a lot from last year. 

“In our preseason at Hunter we spent a lot of time on basic skills, like catch and pass, and that’s really helped my game. My communication has also got a lot better and that comes from being a bit more comfortable talking on the field.”

Palmer is now training along side the best young players in New South Wales and will take on the best of Queensland in the first of a series of U18 academy games this weekend. 

This week, the NSW squad have trained at the Waratahs new base at Daceyville. 

“The facilities are unreal and the skill level of the other boys is really impressive. I already feel like I’m going to be a better player just by being around some of these guys. 

“The skill and speed they do everything at has been a real eye opener and it’s given me plenty to work on.”

While Hunter’s colts side has struggled this season, Palmer has been a standout and made his first grade Shute Shield debut earlier this season off the bench against Southern Districts. 

“It was a pretty daunting experience. As I came onto the field, all of my teammates were revving me up because they knew it was my debut. 

“Then the Souths’ forward pack heard and realised I was a young guy and their big No.8 looked me straight in the eye and had a big grin on his face. They came after me quite a bit for the rest of the game.”

Palmer more than held his own though and was a standout when he returned to play against players his own age in the NSW Schoolboy Trials this month. 

He’s been named on the wing for NSW I for Saturday’s clash against QLD I. 

“Playing colts at Hunter, I prefer playing No.13 because it allows me to get the ball a little sooner but I think my best position is wing. I like to get the ball in space and try to impact the game that way. 

“I’ve learnt a lot from some of the first grade outside backs up in Hunter as well. Their communication is next level and that’s something I’ve tried to add to my game.”

Palmer and NSW II take on QLD II from 1pm at Ballymore on Saturday, with NSW I playing QLD I afterwards. Both matches will be live streamed. 

“The Waratahs won last year up in Brisbane so Queensland will be looking for revenge,” Palmer said. 

“They’re a big side as well so they’ll probably look to blow us away early, but if we can get through the first 10 or so minutes and stay in the game, then hopefully we’ll have the skill to beat them.”