Vulgar online harassment of female AFL players continued on Wednesday even after a star athlete took a stand against “sex abuse” by misogynists who left her fearful of going to work. As fans, clubs and high-profile Australians condemned the degrading remarks on a photo of Carlton’s Tayla Harris it emerged that women playing AFL have been victims of sexism even by fellow players. It can be revealed that one recent post mocking a female Collingwood team member came from the account of former Fremantle player Josh Mellington, who now plays in a suburban Melbourne team. The New Daily has found that many young men behind vulgar, sexually-degrading comments on AFLW photos are players from Victorian sporting clubs. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday the men behind the comments were “grubs” and cowards who were taking out their hatred online, usually targeting women. Here’s a pic of me at work… think about this before your derogatory comments, animals. pic.twitter.com/68aBVVbTTj — Tayla Harris (@taylaharriss) March 19, 2019 One comment on a spectacular action shot of Harris mid-kick referred to her genitals and came from the account of a former player from the Ringwood area who is now believed to be playing in a Yarra Ranges league in Melbourne’s east. The teenager, who according to his social media is friends with a Collingwood rookie, had also tagged other young cricket and footy teammates in his post about Harris. Another comment, made on Wednesday even as the sexism storm brewed, was from a young man who tweeted that women should not play sport. Another post made by the same man days earlier had referred to women as “sl–s”. His social media photos showed that his girlfriend played soccer. Many local footy leagues, as with the AFL and AFLW, conduct social media policies and online etiquette and law training. But revelations fellow players were behind some of the online trolling pointed to a cultural issue within the code. On Wednesday, another AFLW star Erin Phillips, of Adelaide Crows, called for social media accounts to be linked to driver’s licences. Cyber security expert and former police officer Susan McLean said it was “disgusting” that other players would abuse their female counterparts and she warned trolls could be breaking a number of laws. “There is online argy-bargy that all sports people get and you accept that, but when it becomes targeted and personal that is abuse, and it needs to be reported,” Ms McLean said. “And you certainly don’t accept sexual harassment.” We're sorry. Removing the photo sent the wrong message. 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. pic.twitter.com/p24Ll08LRC — 7AFL (@7AFL) March 19, 2019 Ms McLean blasted 7AFL for its handling of the trolls after the organisation removed the photograph of Harris from social media instead of calling out the perpetrators. She said trolls should be blocked, have their sport memberships cancelled and – if severe or repeated – reported to police. “It is not hard to track these people down,” Ms McLean said. Not all of the remarks that contributed to the widespread outrage were about women’s genitals or sexually explicit, but alarmingly even many that were criticisms of playing abilities used gendered language or poked fun at a female’s sporting abilities. A public post on Monday, since deleted, from Mellington’s Facebook profile mocked retiring AFLW player and former Olympian Cecilia McIntosh. Another Facebook comment, criticising Harris’s kicking abilities, was from a midfielder from Oakleigh District Football Netball Club. The comment read: “big stretch for a 20m shank”. Harris, 21, told a press conference on Wednesday that she expected criticism of her playing performance, but that she needed to take a stand against the degrading and sexist comments she had received. She called on police and authorities to take more action to stamp out abuse of women online. Harris later said she would not report the incidents to police, but hoped by speaking out that men would understand the consequences of their words. “These people are behind screens now, but no one’s saying they aren’t going to show up at the footy at the weekend,” she said.<doc-sep>In full flight: Tayla Harris. Credit:Michael Willson/AFL Media Geelong ruck Erin Hoare says the discussion surrounding Tayla Harris' photo has stolen some of the focus away from the AFLW preliminary final matches this weekend. Hoare acknowledged the importance of calling out inappropriate behaviour but said: "The courage and effort and energy that Tayla Harris and other people have had to put into that discussion, that takes away from everything they could potentially be doing, and it's unfair." "Discussion of women's bodies and other discussions that are happening are distracting from the fact that we've got finals coming up this weekend, they're just unnecessary." As the Cats prepare to take on the Crows in Sunday's preliminary final, Hoare noted that the lack of opportunities historically facing female footballers should factor into how the game is judged.<doc-sep>Tayla Harris with fans after the Bulldogs game. Channel 7 has apologised after it posted a photograph of AFL women’s player Tayla Harris that was mercilessly attacked by online trolls. A picture of Carlton Blues AFLW star Tayla Harris kicking during her side’s final round match against the Western Bulldogs attracted “inappropriate and offensive” comments. The Blues star is seen at full stretch in her follow through. What a photo. Picture: Michael Wilson/AFL Media Source: Getty Images Podcast: BT and Robbo on Hogan, rules and flags The 7AFL Twitter account removed the photo, replacing it with a message. “Recently we published an image of AFLW player Tayla Harris. The original purpose in publishing the image was to celebrate the power, athleticism and skills on show in Carlton’s thrilling win over the Western Bulldogs,” the message read. “The image attracted a number of comments, some of which were inappropriate and offensive. As a consequence we have removed the image and the comments.” The account reinstated the picture at 11.22pm with an apology. “We’re sorry. Removing the photo sent the wrong message. “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.” But the initial move caught the eye of many sportspeople and fans in the community, turning on 7AFL for removing the picture. Matildas star Sam Kerr summed up the issue many had with the decision to remove it from the Twitter account, arguing “the problem was not the photo”. Kerr was not alone in her frustration with others furious at the move. Ex-AFLW footballer Meg Hutchins said: “Absolutely disgusting — @7AFL you really should be taking a stand reporting these guys for offensive comments. Enough is enough!! !” It’s even spawned a hashtag #gotaylago with pictures of Harris playing. While Harris didn’t target the removal of the picture, she labelled the Twitter trolls as “animals”. The photo was from the second AFLW Pride game between the Bulldogs and the Blues with Carlton winning 6.5 (41) to 5.8 (38). It helped the Blues take out Conference B and sets up a match with Fremantle at Ikon Park on Saturday at 2.45pm for a chance to make the AFLW Grand Final. Every game of the AFLW, including the AFLW finals, will be streamed on Kayo Sports from just $25 per month for two devices at once on Apple, Android and Telstra TV, for Apple and Google Android smartphones, on web browsers and via Google Chromecast Ultra devices. Click here for your free trial. Tayla Harris is a star. Picture: Tara Croser. Source: News Corp Australia But social media abuse is still rampant in the game with Harris’ teammate Darcy Vescio penning a piece in the Herald Sun in February. “When the AFLW season is in full swing it inevitably coincides with trolling and I often get asked how I handle reading and hearing demeaning comments,” she wrote. “Mostly, I talk about the importance of staying level — not getting caught up in the highs but also not allowing the negativity to get me down. “It’s easy to say ‘don’t worry about the haters, there are plenty of people who love what you’re doing’. “But the truth is when I read comments like ‘get back in the kitchen’, I feel compelled to make a stand for all the women and young girls who don’t have the platform I do.” Tell us what you think by commenting below<doc-sep>The photograph of Tayla Harris which attracted abuse from trolls on social media is set to be used at the forefront of AFLW's marketing efforts as soon as this week. Not since Nicky Winmar lifted his guernsey and pointed to his skin at Victoria Park in 1993 has the AFL seen such an instantly iconic image than the one of Harris in full flight taken by AFL Media's Michael Willson on Sunday. Standing up: Carlton AFLW star Tayla Harris fronts the media in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon. Credit:Justin McManus While it was initially catapulted into the public spotlight for all the wrong reasons, AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone told the Herald the league was determined to harness the positive momentum behind it. After the Seven Network's dedicated AFL social media channels took the photo down on Tuesday night in response to a flood of "inappropriate and offensive" comments made about Harris, other users - among them Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield and champion Olympic cyclist Anna Meares - re-posted it in solidarity.<doc-sep>
Tayla Harris was subjected to vile comments on social media. The footy community has showed their support for Carlton AFLW star Tayla Harris after disgusting comments were posted on a brilliant photo of her taken by snapper Michael Willson. Channel 7 took down a post spotlighting the star’s incredible kicking motion during the Blues’ win over the Western Bulldogs on the weekend, saying the image attracted “a number of comments, some of which were inappropriate and offensive”. The network then sent a second statement apologising for taking the image down. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > “We’re sorry. Removing the photo sent the wrong message,” 7AFL tweeted. “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.” The incredible photo of Tayla Harris. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media) Source: Getty Images But the decision to delete the photo sparked a movement to share the photo far and wide across social media in support of Harris. She herself tweeted the photo with the comment: “Here’s a pic of me at work... think about this before your derogatory comments, animals.” Deputy chair of the ABC, Dr Kirstin Ferguson, helped spark the posts with her response to Seven’s decision. “Of all the possible responses to the online denigration women face on a daily basis online, removing evidence of their contributions/skills/strength should be last on that list,” she tweeted. “I hope photos of @taylaharriss in full flight now flood our social media platforms.” AFL commentator Andy Maher posted: “To every timid, pathetic man who responded to a magnificent photo of a highly talented footballer, know this: your name was identifiable and it was you who was diminished. Grow up.” LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES Many others also shared their support, including current AFL players.