By Daniel Cherny
Tayla Harris is on the hunt for a new AFLW club after she and Carlton were unable to reach a resolution on a fresh contract.
Harris’ manager Alex Saundry had been in negotiations for weeks with the Blues, but the parties this week decided they could not agree on terms for a contract.
Tayla Harris in action earlier this yearCredit: Getty Images
It means the iconic Harris, 24, will need to find a third AFLW club to continue her career in 2022. She started the competition with the Brisbane Lions in 2017 before being traded to Carlton.
Saundry has started holding preliminary talks with other clubs ahead of the start of AFLW sign and trade period on May 31. That date was only confirmed by the AFL on Thursday.
Tayla HarrisCredit: Getty Images
Talks over a new deal for Harris were complicated by the fact there were divergences in opinion as to how she should be valued. She had endured a tough season, but was a three-time All-Australian and extremely marketable given her cross-sport appeal and the impact of her famous 2019 kick which was catapulted into cultural significance on the back of a photograph from Michael Willson.
AFLW’s tiered contract system provided challenges in fulfilling Harris’ requests, especially given the NGA role she had previously worked in with the club no longer exists because of COVID-19.
The Blues also had to be mindful of ensuring they managed what is a solid list but also continue to regenerate with youth, while they are relatively well-stocked for forwards even without Harris given Darcy Vescio and Nicola Stevens formed the quinella in the club’s best and fairest last month.
Saundry confirmed the development to The Age on Thursday night.
“Tayla is a three-time All-Australian and was Carlton’s leading goalkicker in three out of her four seasons at the club. She was forthcoming with the club about her disappointing season and was proactive in providing solutions to help her return to top form,” Saundry said.
“While we are disappointed we haven’t reached a resolution with the club, Tayla’s future remains our priority and we will work through the appropriate next steps with consideration to her upcoming boxing bout in July.”
Harris is set to be the highest-profile player to move clubs in the upcoming AFLW trade period, although former teammate Sabrina Frederick has been linked with a move from Richmond to Collingwood. Jess Dal Pos (Greater Western Sydney to Carlton), Olivia Purcell (Geelong to Melbourne) and Chloe Scheer (Adelaide to Geelong) are among the others who could be on the move.
On Friday, Carlton’s AFLW coach Daniel Harford it had been a tough negotiation for the club and player, and while Harris’ skills were undeniable, her consistency on the field had been an issue.
“It’s been a bit of a difficult negotiation clearly for this one for us and for Tay, because you’ve got to put it all together and make sure you’ve got your reward for all your players who deserve it through the journey and Tay’s had certainly some reward for her efforts through her campaign so far,” he said on RSN.
“I think 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 just see what you can get outside.”
The Blues said they would continue to work towards an outcome that is in the best interests of all parties.
“Tayla’s skill set is unique. What she can do, very few if any other players can do. Now, the challenge for Tayla was to be able to do that consistently week in, week out,” Harford said.
“From a list management perspective ... you’ve got to put all that together and put a monetary value on that and make sure that’s consistent with your philosophies and themes for other players as well.
“Clearly what we’ve been unable to do in the last little while is make that work.”