Tayla Harris in Paris for Olympic Games as Melbourne continue pre-season

Melbourne play their season opening AFLW match later this month, but Tayla Harris isn’t in the country. LAUREN WOOD asks the Dees what’s up with the star’s Olympic expedition.

Tayla Harris with Serena Williams at the Olympic Games. Picture: @tayla_harris Instagram

Tayla Harris has travelled to Paris just three weeks out from the AFL Women’s season, with Melbourne describing the international expedition as “a perfect learning experience” that will “bring valuable insights” to the Demons’ 2024 campaign.

The All-Australian forward – who is currently battling a shoulder injury sustained at training last month – has travelled to the Olympic Games as part of a Nike conference in her capacity as one of the brand’s global icons.

The trip comes just weeks from the Demons’ season-opener against Geelong on August 31, which the 27-year-old has been racing the clock to play in after aggravating a shoulder complaint on a recent training camp.

“brb (be right back), in Paris,” the AFLW star posted on Instagram.

Harris is in Paris ahead of the AFLW season, which starts in three weeks. Picture: @tayla_harris Instagram

She also shared a snap with tennis superstar Serena Williams at the Nike event, attended the beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower and took in the artistic gymnastics beam final where American gymnastics “GOAT” Simone Biles was competing.

Demons head of women’s football Jessie Mulholland told this masthead on Tuesday that Harris’ eve-of-season move had the club’s full backing.

“Tayla has been presented with an incredible opportunity to go to Paris for the Olympics,” Mulholland said.

“This idea was brought to the club several months ago, and we recognised it as the perfect learning experience for Tayla and a chance to bring valuable insights back to the club.

“In Paris, Tayla will be engaging with some of the world’s greatest female athletes, and upon her return, she will share her experiences and learnings with the team, providing us with a unique perspective on achieving high performance in various fields.”

Harris, who is also an esteemed boxer with an 8-1-1 record, was also snapped with a Sherrin in the French capital.

The premiership player and four-time All-Australian was already considered unlikely to play in Melbourne’s pre-season outings which include a hitout against her former side Carlton at Ikon Park this Friday and an official practice match against Port Adelaide on August 18.