“There’s no place better than here”: Campbell Chesser can’t wait to play football in Navy Blue.
By Cristian Filippo, Carlton Media
“A FRESH start for me was crucial in my decision… there’s no place better than here.”
Despite the trade only going through on Friday, Campbell Chesser has spent the most recent of time getting to know the Carlton area.
It was last month when Chesser requested a trade to the Blues, with the former first-round draft pick playing 36 games for West Coast after landing in Perth in the 2021 AFL Draft.
Playing his best football on the wing, Chesser didn’t waste any time when it came to familiarising himself with not only his new football club, but also its surrounds.
“I think this will be the best fit for me, and I think I’ll thrive in a new environment,” Chesser told Carlton Media.
“It’s nice to get the trade done. The facilities are amazing and I can’t wait to learn about the history of the Carlton footy club.
“I’ve spent a bit of time in Carlton over the last couple of weeks, getting to know the area. I’ve seen the passion that lies around here and this footy club… I’m excited to get to know everyone around the place.”
A willing runner and classy user of the ball, the AFL world has seen glimpses of Chesser’s potential, whose entire first season at the elite level was wiped out after a serious ankle injury on the eve of the season.
But it’s at IKON Park where Chesser believes he can take his footy to the next level, and is excited to link up with an old friend in the process.
“I play on the wing… I like to play to my strengths as much as I can, try to run and carry the ball and use my speed.
“It’ll be nice to know someone at the Club before coming in… Ollie Hollands, we played in an under-12s premiership at the Wodonga Bulldogs. I look forward to playing with him.”
And while he believes the Blues will be “the perfect fit” for him, he was more than happy to run it back with a supersized jumper that did the rounds on social media.
As he explained, it was a callback to draft night in 2021.
“I got given a jumper that was probably a bit too big back when I was drafted. I didn’t know anything about it, I didn’t know it was too big – my adrenaline was pumping I didn’t even realise how big the jumper was.
“I looked like an idiot.”
All good, ‘Chess’: everybody looks better in Navy Blue.