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Tayla Harris


Career : AFLW 2018 - AFLW 2021
Debut : Round 1 2018 vs Collingwood
Carlton Player No. 32
Games : 37 (8 Brisbane Lions)
Goals : 29 (4 Brisbane Lions)
Last Game: Round 9 2021 vs GWS Giants
Guernsey No.: 7
Height : 177 cm (5'10")
DOB : April 16, 1997


AFLW Mega Trade
Carlton has continued to strengthen its AFLW stocks after reaching an agreement with Brisbane to welcome Tayla Harris to the Blues. The complex trade made on Thursday sees Harris arrive at Carlton along with the Western Bulldogs’ pick 12 in the 2018 AFLW National Draft. To secure Harris, the Blues traded three of their inaugural players – Bella Ayre and Nat Exon to Brisbane and Bianca Jakobsson to Melbourne. The Western Bulldogs have secured former Melbourne midfielder/forward Deanna Berry for the 2018 AFLW season in a four-way trade with Melbourne, Carlton and Brisbane. As a part of the deal, Carlton has received pick 12 in the 2017 AFLW Draft from the Western Bulldogs.

Harris was born and raised in Brisbane's northern suburbs and began playing competitive football for Aspley at age five. She played in a mixed competition with young girls and boys until 2010. At the age of 15, she began playing senior football for Zillmere in the AFL Queensland Women's League (QAWFL), where she won the league best and fairest award in her first season. In 2017, following a move to Melbourne, she began playing in the VFL Women's competition with the St Kilda Sharks. She represented Queensland in the youth girls competition, and is a five time All-Australian. At the age of 17, she was drafted to the Melbourne representative side as part of the AFL women's exhibition series. She continued to play for the club through 2016. She also played as part of the Brisbane Lions' representative team in 2016.

Harris was one of two marquee player signings announced by Brisbane in anticipation of the league's inaugural 2017 season. She made her league debut in the club's inaugural match, in round 1, 2017, against Melbourne at Casey Fields. In round 2, she was nominated for the league Rising Star award for a two-goal, twelve disposal and seven mark performance against Fremantle, and also was named "Player of the Week" by the AFL Players Association. At the conclusion of two rounds she was ranked equal fourth in the league for total goals scored (two) and first in the league for contested marks (eight). At the end of the season, Harris was listed in the 2017 All-Australian team. Prior to the 2017 AFLW trade period, Harris expressed her desire to be traded to a Victorian club. The trade period started on 15 May. Early talks between Brisbane and Carlton faltered; although Carlton offered Bianca Jakobsson in trade, Brisbane wanted an additional player. Melbourne also made an offer for Harris. On 25 May 2017, Harris was traded to Carlton in a complex trade involving four teams, five players and a draft pick.

She played six matches with her new club in 2018 and kicked five goals, tying with Darcy Vescio to share the club's leading goalkicker award with them. She also claimed All-Australian selection that year, named on the interchange bench. Her 2019 and 2020 seasons were both solid, as she kicked 8 goals in each. She was named in the All-Australian team in 2020 on the interchange bench. 2021 saw Harris down on form, playing 9 games but only kicking 4 goals and averaging under 10 disposals. Harris was involved in controversy in March 2021 after it was reported that she missed part of her training in order to create an instagram post promoting her new documentary. Around May 2021, it was revealed that Harris was looking for the club to double her salary to a total of $150,000, which Carlton were reluctant to do. Harris cautioned that she may switch sporting codes back to boxing, where she was successful in the past. It was reported that her relationship with the club had begun to deteriorate. Harris ultimately requested a trade to Melbourne, and was traded on 8 June.

The five-team trade sees Harris (Carlton) and Liv Purcell (Geelong) head to Melbourne, Chloe Scheer (Adelaide) move to Geelong and Chloe Dalton (Carlton) and Jess Dal Pos (GWS) swapping clubs.

Recruited from: Zillmere Eagles Australian Football Club via Brisbane Lions


Career Highlights

2017 - AFLW Allies Representatives
2018 - Mark of the Year
2018 - AFLW All-Australian
2018 - 3rd Best and Fairest
2018 - AFLW Leading Goalkicker
2019 - Mark of the Year
2019 - 8th Best and Fairest
2019 - AFLW Leading Goalkicker
2020 - Equal AFLW Leading Goalkicker
2020 - 9th Best and Fairest
2020 - AFLW All Australian Team


Blueseum Links: Tayla Harris image gallery
Contributors to this page: Bombasheldon , Jarusa and WillowBlue .
Page last modified on Thursday 22 of September, 2022 21:20:33 AEST by Bombasheldon.
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