Tayla Harris joins Hastings’ netball side alongside Jess Hosking

AFLW star Tayla Harris made a shock netball debut in a suburban league — and her first touch drew gasps.

Tayla Harris playing netball for Hastings on Saturday. Pic: Jorja Gay

There were stunned looks on the faces of Pearcedale’s netballers when they took to the court for their game against Hastings on Saturday.

Is that really Tayla Harris, the AFLW star, some were heard to say.

Yep, it sure was, the Carlton footballer making a surprise netball debut for Hastings, coached by her Blues teammate and great friend Jess Hosking.

“I dragged her down,” Hosking said.

“She came and watched a few games and we kind of jokingly said, ‘what are the chances of getting you on the court?’

“And she told me she had never played a game of netball before. I didn’t really know what hopes I had for her but, let’s just say, it was very entertaining.”

Harris lined up in defence and was quickly into the action, although her first touch drew gasps as her footy instincts took over.

“The first ball she went to intercept — and it would have been an amazing intercept — she actually punched the ball away instead of taking it with two hands, so it was quite funny,” Hosking said.

Carlton’s Tayla Harris kicks for goal. Pic: Michael Klein

Not surprisingly, Harris’ athleticism stood out although her understanding of the rules of the game may need some work.

“Funnily, the umpires came together and brought the captains in and said, ‘considering the score line do you mind if we let go some of Tayla’s stepping?’, “ Hosking said.

“So they were willing to be a little bit lenient on her.”

Hosking said her pal Tay got a couple of intercepts and overall had a ball, even though Hastings lost 65-31.

Jess Hosking of the Blues is tackled by Eloise Jones of the Adelaide Crows.

And what did they do after the game?

They headed over to the nearby footy ground to watch the men’s MPNFL game between Pearcedale and Hastings, the pair grabbing a well-deserved bucket of hot chips from the canteen on the way.

Hosking said returning to grassroots sport was a nice distraction for Tay after a trying few days, in which she has been in the news about her pay negotiations with Carlton.

“She’s had a bit of rough trot the last couple of days and I spent a fair bit of time with her,” Hosking said.

“She’s deleted all social media to steer clear of a lot of the comments and a lot of the articles that are out there. It can get to you.

“I think a lot of people forget she’s human as well.”

So, what are the chances of Harris building on her fledgling netball career with Hastings?

“I know she would happily step on court again, she’s voiced that to me so we will see what happens,” Hosking said.