AFLW 2024: Shoulder injury rules Melbourne star Tayla Harris out for season
Fresh scans have revealed grim news for an important Melbourne player only one week into the AFLW season.
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Tayla Harris says she will find ways to contribute to Melbourne’s AFLW season off the field after scans revealed shoulder damage which will require season-ending surgery.
In a crushing blow to Melbourne and its important tall, Harris’s season is over after just one game following two incidents during the Demons’ two-point win over Geelong.
Harris, 27, will again be sent for surgery, this time on her left shoulder after undergoing a procedure on her right shoulder last December.
The key forward competed strongly against Geelong without finding much of the ball in high winds and rain, but was in visible discomfort after a first-quarter marking contest and writhed in pain after being tackled into the ground during the third term.
The Demons revealed on Wednesday that Harris had dislocated her shoulder in the incident, after which she was ruled out of the game.
“The extent of the damage unfortunately increases Tayla’s risk of further dislocations and overall shoulder stability, and therefore the possibility of further structural impact, meaning she will require surgery,” women’s football boss Jesse Mulholland said.
“It’s an incredibly disappointing outcome for Tayla, who had a strong block of full contact training with her shoulder heading in, and was ready to attack her ninth season at the top level.”
Harris, who spoke to Channel 7 on the field following her injury and celebrated the win with her teammates, said she was still determined to help the Demons achieve their goals this season.
“I’m extremely disappointed to have my season cut short,” Harris said.
“It’s an honour to pull on the red and blue guernsey and run out with this team, and it’s unfortunate that I won’t have that opportunity again this year.
“I now look forward to contributing in many ways off the field, and doing whatever I can to help us achieve our goal in 2024. I can’t wait to be back on the field doing what I love in 2025.”
Melbourne had planned a move into a key defensive role for Harris this season, but a shoulder setback during pre-season camp and a quad strain ahead of the practice matches last month meant she was kept forward against the Cats.
The setback leaves Melbourne more reliant on talls Eden Zanker and Alyssa Bannan to support captain Kate Hore, who almost single-handedly wrenched her side back into the game against Geelong after a nervous start.
It will also put further pressure on the Demons’ leaders after the loss of significant experience in the off-season with Libby Birch (North Melbourne), Maddi Gay (Essendon), Eliza West and Casey Sherriff (Hawthorn) all at new clubs.
The Demons face tough back-to-back assignments at Casey Fields, with Brisbane this Saturday followed by North Melbourne in round 3.
Originally published as AFLW 2024: Shoulder injury rules Melbourne star Tayla Harris out for season
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