Mega-trade that officially ends Tayla Harris’ $150k stand-off revealed

Tayla Harris’ contract saga has officially been resolved, after the marquee player found a new home as part of an AFLW mega-trade.

Tayla Harris’ AFLW contract saga has finally reached a conclusion.

The marquee player has officially moved from Carlton to Melbourne as part of a mega-trade involving seven players and five clubs.

Fox Sports reporter Tom Morris revealed on Monday Melbourne and Carlton had come to a trade agreement, and the deal was made official on Tuesday as the Demons welcomed the arrival of their new signing.

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“I am really excited to be part of such a great club with a talented group of girls, all pushing to be their best,” Harris said.

As part of the deal, Melbourne will receive Harris, reigning Geelong best and fairest Olivia Purcell, as well as draft picks 44 and 49.

Melbourne, Carlton, Geelong, Adelaide and GWS are the clubs that helped the Harris jigsaw fall into place.

Tayla Harris first played for Melbourne in the AFL Women’s Exhibition Series (Photo by Justine Walker/AFL Media).

The Harris trade

— Melbourne gains Tayla Harris, Olivia Purcell, picks 44 and 49 and loses Chantel Emonson and picks 15, 32, 42 and 47.

— Carlton gains Jess Dal Pos, picks 10, 27 and 32 and loses Chloe Dalton, Katie Loynes, Harris and pick 44.

— Adelaide gains pick 20 and pick 47 and loses Chloe Scheer and pick 49.

— GWS gains Dalton, Loynes, picks 37 and 42 and loses Dal Pos, pick 10 and pick 27.

— Geelong gains Emonson, Scheer and pick 15 and loses Purcell, pick 37 and pick 20.

Harris joins the Demons after contract negotiations with Carlton broke down.

Last month, it was reported Harris — who became the leading figure in women’s footy for taking a stance against online trolls who targeted a photo of her in full flight — was seeking $150,000 a season from Carlton.

Harris’ base salary would account for approximately $28,000, with the rest to be made up of income from marketing and promotional work.

Her manager Alex Saundry said reports of the footy star demanding $150,000 a year weren't entirely correct, and defended Harris by maintaining she wasn’t greedily chasing money.

Tayla Harris struggled for form with Carlton last season. Photo: Michael Klein

Harris was named in the AFLW All-Australian team in 2017 and 2018 but struggled for form with the Blues last season, managing only four goals from eight games.

At one stage it appeared possible Harris could sit out the next AFLW season to focus on her successful boxing career.

As many as 10 clubs had reportedly said they were unwilling to pursue Harris due to either salary cap constraints or difficulty fitting the 24-year-old into their already stacked forward lines.

Harris played one season for the Brisbane Lions before moving to Carlton, where she spent four years.

It’s not yet clear how many years Harris will play for Melbourne as part of the deal.

The AFLW trade period ends at 2pm on Wednesday.

Originally published as Mega-trade that officially ends Tayla Harris’ $150k stand-off revealed