Defiant Harris a star in triumph

CARLTON AFLW star Tayla Harris has delivered another timely kick at the online trolls.

Harris was one of the Blues’ best yesterday as they upset Fremantle by six goals to reach their first grand final.

The key forward kicked Carlton’s first goal in the 9.10 (64) to 4.4 (28) demolition at Ikon Park and she wreaked havoc with her fierce crashing of the packs.

After they finished bottom last season, the Blues will remarkably now meet the winner of today’s AdelaideGeelong preliminary final in next weekend’s premiership decider.

Harris’s performance had extra meaning after the week’s tumultuous events.

A dramatic action photo of Harris in mid-kick attracted a torrent of vile comments when it was posted online.

That prompted an even stronger reaction, with Harris leading the way. Prominent AFL and AFLW figures rallied behind Harris and she fronted a media conference mid-week to hit back at the abuse.

She promptly backed that up with one of the best games of her AFLW career. It was a powerful performance on and off the field, particularly given Harris is just 21.

“There was really no other option in my mind but to try and play as well as I could,” she said.

“I do understand what I’m doing and I’m creating something big.” Harris and coach Daniel Harford fronted a postgame media conference and regularly cracked jokes, reflecting Carlton’s jubilation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had offered his support to Harris and she called him “Scomo” and “Scomes”.

“Adults even Harf’s age are getting on board ... it’s much bigger than I thought,” she joked.

Ageism aside, Harford was full of respect for Harris and said her efforts this week had been “extraordinary”. CARLTON V FREMANTLE BEST 1.5 5.7 7.8 9.10 1.1 1.2 2.2 4.4 GOALS INJURIES UMPIRES