AFLW Grand Final: Demons party on in Brisbane after premiership triumph

Tayla Harris and her Melbourne teammates partied into the night in Brisbane as they celebrated their breakthrough AFLW premiership triumph. WATCH THE VIDEO

Fourth time proved a charm for Tayla Harris, who said finally snatching an elusive AFL Women’s premiership felt “better” than she ever thought it would.

Harris had played three AFLW grand finals — at three different clubs — before Sunday’s Melbourne victory over Brisbane at Springfield.

And with a premiership medal firmly in her grasp, she declared external opinions of her “irrelevant to me”.

“It’s the people in this room that I care about — what they think,” Harris said.

“They often let me know that I’m doing the right thing by them, and that’s all I need.

“People that want to have opinions and be negative and nasty — whatever. That doesn’t do anything for me. But when Dais (captain Daisy Pearce) gives me a really nice compliment, that overpowers any negative opinion of somebody that I don’t even know has.”

Tayla Harris was all smiles after winning the AFLW grand final at the fourth attempt.

Harris, 25, booted a third quarter goal that ended up being the sealer for Melbourne in the four-point victory over the Lions – her former club.

The Queenslander said to win in her home state was “certainly nice”.

“To share it with all these people … it’s not just the ones on the field,” Harris said.

“It’s the girls and the staff that when the siren goes and everyone’s allowed (on the ground), it’s just amazing. I can’t explain it.

“No words. It’s just too good.”

After arriving at the club at the end of 2021, following a reported pay standoff at Carlton, Pearce said it had been “pitched that we were getting someone that wanted to be the star of the show”.

“This is externally, like this is what I was reading … that was chasing money, that didn’t really care enough, didn’t work hard enough,” Pearce said.

Tayla Harris celebrates after winning the AFLW grand final. Picture: Getty Images

“She is none of those things. She’s the opposite.

“She’s an incredible person. I said to (Tayla’s parents) Waz and Lisa … if (my daughter)

Sylvie grows up to be the type of daughter that Tayla is to them, I’ll be bloody proud.”

Lisa, who joined the tall’s parner Kodi Jacques – who plays for Richmond – and Essendon midfielder Maddy Prespakis and Harris’ father Warren at Brighton Homes Arena, said the premiership medal was vindication for all that her daughter had endured and “absolutely” could not ever be taken from her.

“It’s absolute relief,” Lisa said.

“She puts her absolute heart and soul into it – especially this team.

“She deserves it. She’s made us so proud.”

Melbourne Demons players celebrate their AFLW grand final win

Tayla Harris shows off her premiership medal after Melbourne's AFLW grand final triumph.

Harris and teammates partied into the night in Brisbane, with the star captured on social media on Monday morning wearing her premiership medal over a hotel robe.

In scenes reminiscent of the Demons’ men’s outfit’s 2021 premiership victory, forward Kate Hore sat atop the shoulders of her boyfriend Corey Maynard – just like Melbourne skipper Max Gawn famously did – and danced to dance track “Freed From Desire”.

Kate Hore channels Max Gawn as the Demons celebrate their breakthrough AFLW grand final win.

Coach Mick Stinear was also lifted to crowd surf above the team.

Players drenched the new changeroom at Springfield in champagne in the wake of their victory, donning ski goggles as they sprayed apple cider and sparkling wine with many wearing their match guernseys out on the town later on Sunday night.

Originally published as AFLW Grand Final: Demons party on in Brisbane after premiership triumph