Tayla Harris: Fans flock to Carlton v Fremantle AFLW preliminary final to show support for Blues forward

Fans were out in droves to support Tayla Harris during Carlton’s AFLW preliminary final victory over Fremantle in the wake of the social media storm, including her mother Lisa.

It was the week that gave trolls the kick and Tayla Harris today used the storm to help propel the Blues into the AFL Women’s grand final.

Harris, 21, stood firm amid a social media firestorm this week after a photo of her trademark kicking style was targeted by people posting sexist and degrading comments online.

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The star forward shone for Carlton as the Blues demolished Fremantle by 36 points to reach their first AFLW grand final.

And there was no bigger supporter at Ikon Park than Harris’ mother, Lisa.

Lisa Harris’ flight from Brisbane to watch her daughter play in the preliminary final at Ikon Park was cancelled, meaning she did not arrive in Melbourne until 3am on Saturday morning.

She said she had nothing but “absolute pride” for her daughter, who took on the trolls and won.

A Carlton fan shows her support for Tayla Harris after the Blues’ victory. Picture: Hamish Blair.

“It’s been really hard. From a mother’s point of view it’s been really hard and scary, but we’re beyond proud of her,” Lisa Harris told the Herald Sun.

“We left on the Tuesday lunchtime (after last weekend’s game) and I was looking on my phone at midnight on the Tuesday night and saw it all blow up.

“Trying to get down to her was just so hard, and not being able to get down.

“I just needed to hold her and see her and know she’s OK.”

Harris said she knew her daughter would have the mettle to handle the situation.

“She’s always been a really kind person, and that’s my biggest pride in her, is that she’s kind,” she said.

“The way that she’s stepped up has been phenomenal.”

Tayla Harris 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #AFLWBluesFreo

— Kate Salemme (@KateSalemme) March 23, 2019

Harris was among Carlton’s best in the preliminary final, with her contested marking a clear standout as she crashed packs.

When she kicked a goal 13 minutes into the first quarter, her teammates rallied before a chant of “Tayla” rung out across the stadium.

Tayla Harris crashes a pack during the AFLW preliminary final. Picture: Hamish Blair.

Coach Daniel Harford praised his forward, labelling her handling of the storm as “extraordinary”, while the star — who admitted the impact of this week was yet to sink in — said her ability to focus on football had made navigating it “not hard at all”.

“The support that I received was incredible,” she said. All I had to do was say what I thought, which I was honest the entire time.

“There was really no other option in my mind than to try and play as well as I could.”

Tayla Harris celebrates an early goal during Carlton’s win over Fremantle. Picture: Hamish Blair.

The AFL distributed badges bearing Harris’ silhouette at yesterday’s game, and ran out early.

“It’s really special,” she said.

“I do understand what I’m doing and that I’m starting something big. Everyone is grabbing onto it and doing their little bit, and it’s gone all over the world and helping a lot of people.

“Anything I can do to help, I’ll do it.”’

Harris’ friend Caity Gough is at Ikon Park wearing a T-shirt bearing the now-famous image of the Carlton forward, with the message “Yes to goals, no to trolls”.

“I’m beyond proud as a friend as a supporter with the way she went about it … and as a female,” Gough said.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better advocate in the situation than her.”

“The kick”, in billboard form en route to Ikon Park. Full coverage of #AFLWBluesDockers with @SuperFooty today. Glittering day in Melbourne town. pic.twitter.com/NRASYYM3JY

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun) March 23, 2019

Harris’ teammate Darcy Vescio lauded her fellow attacking weapon, her pride evident.

“For her to come out and have as big a game as she did … she’d be exhausted after the week she’s had, but I’m really proud that she was able to stand up for what’s right, and I think she’s feeling the wave of support around her as well,” Vescio said.

I think she’s feeling like everyone’s got her back, and she knows that what she’s fighting for is bigger than herself. I’m really proud of how she’s gone about it.”

To win the grand final, Harris said, would be “fairytale stuff”.