Tayla Harris on the hunt for new club after Blues refuse to budge on $150,000 pay demand

Tayla Harris is facing a battle to have her pay demands met in the AFLW, as clubs reveal they are unwilling to sign the Blues spearhead to a $150k contract.

Tayla Harris has left the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

Opposition clubs believe Carlton star Tayla Harris will struggle to have her pay demands fulfilled elsewhere as the key forward searches for a home at a third AFLW club.

The Blues on Friday confirmed there had been a breakdown in negotiations with Harris’ management, citing a sizeable “gap” in pay expectations for next season.

As revealed by the Herald Sun earlier this month, Harris was asking for about $150,000 to stay with the Blues – a significant jump on her estimated $80,000 pay packet this year.

As a Tier 2 player, the forward is paid about $25,000 to play football and the remainder of the money would come from marketing and employment roles at the club.

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Tayla Harris is exploring her options. Picture: Getty Images

The Herald Sun spoke to multiple opposition clubs who said Harris was not currently in their plans for next season and they could not afford the size of the contract that she was reportedly seeking.

Harris would be a prime marquee signing for an AFLW expansion club, however there is not set to be any expansion of the competition until the end of next season.

Clubs believe there will be interest in Harris, who is still just 24 years old and is a strong contested mark and a goalkicking forward.

However, not only would the money have to be right for a move but the Blues would have to be willing to part with Harris for a fair deal at the trade table.

The first five picks in this year’s AFLW draft are protected from being traded.

Harris’ manager Alex Saundry declined to comment on the situation when contacted on Friday.

However, Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford confirmed Harris had decided to explore her options for a trade.

“She’s taken that option to look for another club, yes,” Harford said on RSN radio.

“It’s been a bit of a difficult negotiation, clearly, for this one – for us and for Tay.

“The gap was too big. We haven’t been able to find common ground for the contract for Tay at the moment. So it’s in the interest of both parties to see what we can get outside.”

Harris is a three-time All-Australian as well as a three-time Carlton leading goalkicker but endured a difficult 2021 season as she averaged just six disposals and kicked four goals from seven games.

“There’s no doubt she had a down year,” Harford said.

“Tayla’s skill set is unique in AFLW footy. What she can do, very few – if any – players can do. The challenge for Tayla was to be able to do that consistently week in, week out.”

Harris has spent the past four seasons at Carlton after playing her first season of AFLW with Brisbane.

The AFLW sign and trade period opens on May 31.