Melbourne AFLW Team Faces Major Blow as Tayla Harris Out for Season with Shoulder Injury
Melbourne's AFLW team faces a significant setback with Tayla Harris ruled out for the entire season due to a shoulder injury. Suffering the injury during the opening match against Geelong, she requires surgery. Harris expressed disappointment at her early exit but aims to contribute off the field this season and looks forward to returning in 2025.
Melbourne has been significantly impacted by the news that Tayla Harris will miss the entire AFLW season due to a shoulder injury. Sustaining the injury during the season opener against Geelong, scans have confirmed that she requires surgery, as reported by AFL Media.
Tayla Harris expresses disappointment over injury
Harris, clearly upset by the situation, stated that she is extremely disappointed to have her season cut short. She expressed her intention to contribute in other ways off the field, highlighting her commitment to help Melbourne achieve its goals for 2024. Harris is optimistic about returning to the field in 2025, stating that she cannot wait to get back to doing what she loves.
The incident during Round 1 game
The 27-year-old athlete had previously undergone surgery on her left shoulder in December and had been wearing heavy strapping during the Round 1 victory. After an innocuous event in the first quarter, Harris required treatment on her shoulder and again after a strong tackle in the third term. For precautionary reasons, she was substituted out at three-quarter time during the match, which ended with a narrow two-point win for Melbourne.
Harris discusses her shoulder issues
Following the match, Harris commented on her shoulder problems, downplaying the injury and noting that it was simply another incident in Round 1. She praised her teammates for their performance, indicating that she saw it as an opportunity to support from the sidelines. Harris managed her shoulder and a quad issue during pre-season but was cleared to play in the game.
Coaching staff comments on Harris's readiness
When questioned about the risk of playing Harris, coach Mick Stinear stated that he did not perceive any risk in having her on the field. He confirmed that after receiving clearance regarding her quad injury, Harris had undergone extensive training during pre-season. Stinear noted that following her rehabilitation after the December surgery, she had completed several months of solid training, which gave him confidence in her readiness for the match despite the unfortunate circumstances that unfolded during play.
