Tayla Harris photo sparks passionate social media response

Tom Naghten

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Tayla Harris photo sparks passionate social media response image

The social media reaction to a photo of Carlton AFLW star Tayla Harris in action has led to a show of support from many in the football community.

AFL photographer Michael Willson snapped the pic during the Blues' three-point final round win over the Bulldogs on Sunday.

The picture shows Harris with both feet off the ground in the midst of her trademark follow through.

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The official AFLW Twitter account shared the photo on Sunday, with 7AFL posting it on Tuesday.


7AFL subsequently deleted the image, citing "inappropriate and offensive" comments in the replies.


Many of the replies to that post suggested the photo wasn't the problem, with several high-profile football personalities sharing the picture in support of Harris and women's football.

Geelong superstar and Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield posted it with the caption "#Fthehaters".


Harris herself reshared the picture, along with a message for the trolls.

"Here’s a pic of me at work... think about this before your derogatory comments, animals," Harris tweeted.


Harris' teammate and AFLW star Darcy Vescio also posted the snap, saying that removing the tweet was giving in to the trolls.

"Deleting the post is giving in to trolls," Vescio wrote.

"Also, you’re eliminating all the positive conversation.

"Also, you’re removing more content around women in sport - which there’s already so little of. It’s up to everyone to moderate hate."


Broadcasters Gerard Whateley, Neroli Meadows and Stephen Quartermain, as well as cycling legend Anna Meares were just some of many to throw their support behind the key forward on Tuesday evening.

The official AFL account also retweeted AFLW's post on Tuesday night.


Willson later posted the complete series from which the picture came from.


Later on Tuesday night, 7AFL reposted the image, and also pinned it to the top of their Twitter account.

"We're sorry. Removing the photo sent the wrong message," the post read.

"Many of the comments made on the post were reprehensible & we'll work harder to ban trolls from our pages. Our intention was to highlight @taylaharriss incredible athleticism & we'll continue to celebrate women's footy."


Harris' Blues topped conference B after the regular season, setting up a preliminary final clash against Fremantle at Princes Park on Saturday afternoon.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.