There’s an article in today’s Herald Sun about the excitement generated by the arrival at Melbourne of boom recruit Tayla Harris (sorry pay wall and no link but it’s at p87).

Melbourne’s AFLW coach Mick Stinear says Harris had fit right into her new AFLW home.

“Tayla’s been quite honest that when Covid hit last year, she found that quite challenging, and she didn’t have an ideal preparation leading into last season.

“And we’ve experienced it as well with our players that a change of environment for some players is exactly what they need, and it helps get the best out of them.

“We certainly hope that’s the case, and the way she’s training and competing at the moment, things are looking really promising.

“She’s a pretty special athlete with a lot of talent and she’s really bought into our program and her role within the team. I think her physicality and athleticism up forward and her finishing ability around goal, combined with her selfless nature, she’s going to bring something we haven’t had in our forward line before.”

Pre-season training officially starts for the Demons on Thursday.

It could be the last for Daisy Pearce, 33, the mother of two, who has made a big commitment to sign up for another season.

The new AFLW season starts in early January.

Looking forward to seeing what she can bring to the forward line, it is the one area I have always thought was our weakest.

 

Have to be honest, I always thought the girls would hold the cup before our men did.

The Dees ladies don't need to improve by much to win the flag this season. Harris will certainly be a welcome addition if she can play at her best. 

On 10/13/2021 at 5:04 PM, faultydet said:

Have to be honest, I always thought the girls would hold the cup before our men did.

The Dees ladies don't need to improve by much to win the flag this season. Harris will certainly be a welcome addition if she can play at her best. 

I thought very much the same and in fact, believed we were on track earlier this year when we were on the eve of the finals. 

Fingers crossed for this year that the competition can get a smooth start in January.

That kick looks even better back in red and blue!

Is the fixture out yet for this season? I've been meaning to go to an AFLW game but have just never got around it.

Hopefully the Dees play a couple of games in metro areas that are easy to get to, Casey Fields is just a little too far....

4 hours ago, Dees_In_October said:

That kick looks even better back in red and blue!

Indeed, it always did!...

On 10/15/2021 at 4:32 PM, Doggas front teeth said:

Is the fixture out yet for this season? I've been meaning to go to an AFLW game but have just never got around it.

Hopefully the Dees play a couple of games in metro areas that are easy to get to, Casey Fields is just a little too far....

Not yet. They'll probably hold off as long as possible.

Casey's definitely a hike. Vic Park, Moorabbin and Princes Park, even Whitten Oval depending on where you live, are all good options. Haven't been to Punt Road or wherever North play yet, but we're probably due to play the Tigers or Roos away (if we do play them!). They might do a game at Docklands also.

All games I've attended have had a great vibe, even Vic Park! It's interesting to see these venues rejuvenated.

Round 1 versus the Tigers at Casey this year had a big buzz about it despite the restricted crowd, due to it being the first live footy for many months and tickets sold like hotcakes. So I'd imagine and hope it will be similar next year.

Really excited to see what Tayla can do in 2022.  She is an amazingly strong and determined young lady. 

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Really excited to see what Tayla can do in 2022.  She is an amazingly strong and determined young lady. 

Cannot believe we got her from Carlton.....She is only 24! 

Still North gave up BBB and that worked out rather well.....

Beware of the apple tree in a peach forest.

i think Harris will be very very handy up forward for us. We know the talent she has and I think playing with Daisy and having her as her captain will make a massive difference and help her a lot. 

She's also kicked the equal 8th most goals (29) in the all-time goalkickers list for the league, which is kind of impressive given she didn't exactly fire last season. For context, Melbourne's next best are Cunningham (25), Scott and Hore (24).

All that said, she isn't coming in expected to be the saviour or anything. Pressure's off and hopefully play with some freedom and fun.

I love her attack on the ball and making opposition players earn their kicks.

56 minutes ago, #11-TonyAnderson said:

I love her attack on the ball and making opposition players earn their kicks.

She got votes from me on Friday for that, Tony, and for the ground she covered, up and down the ground. The goals were a bonus.

She's a beast. I get the sense she really enjoys hurting defenders

On 1/4/2022 at 5:20 PM, dl4e said:

Beware of the apple tree in a peach forest.

I am presuming you regard Tayla Harris as a plus dl4e as IMO she will along with the improvement of most of the newer and younger girls plus If we can get Our Geelong recruit Purcell on the park early enough will make our forward  and attacking moves far more potent and our scoring shots more accurate.

Just look at BBB in the AFL and his influence and it's going to take a very good team to stop our girls with  their strong and aggressive game plan and multi faceted options to score. 

Casey Fields is such a fortress now and no reason for that not to keep on happening. 

Another very good game v Saints. Definitely brings excitement and a focus in the forward 50. Huge addition this year.  Go Dees. 

Her physicality will be critical against the crows. In the prelim last year the crows defenders gobbled up every inside 50 entry. She needs to impose herself, keep the crows defenders accountable and at least halve each contest. If she can do that we’re a chance. 

People forget we kicked 1.9 in that Prelim it was our horrible marking and kicking up forward along with some abominable connectivity with the runners that ruined our chances.

Crows only had 9 scoring chances !! 

Someone ( everyone) have got to be more physical down back also.

It's a challenge but we need to make a statement to this mob over there in case we have to play there later in the year,

BTW Freo looked amazing last night at Vic Park and Lions weren't too shabby vs Blues on Tuesday.  They are far more in the flag race than Pies who are caught up in mediocrity except for their defence.

 

Definitely was best on ground v Lions. Her marking was elite.  Unstoppable!!

Tayla's post match interview was very impressive

She spoke extremely well and came across as a very genuine and team focused person  

Glad to hear that her family was there to watch her - she certainly put on a great show for them 

Hopefully she continues to enjoy more success with the mighty Dees 

Excited.  Wow another excellent game v Kangas.  Definitely a potential mark of the year moment.  And keeps kicking important goals. 😀😀

Lovely hanger.

Recruit of the year