Tayla Harris Dominates as Melbourne Downs Essendon in AFLW Clash
Melbourne,VIC – Tayla Harrisโข delivered a commanding performance,kicking threeโฃ goals and โracking upโ 17 disposals,as Melbourne defeated Essendon by 14 points in their AFLW Roundโ 8 encounter. Theโฃ Demons secured a 7.8โค (50) to 5.4 (34) victory,solidifying their position in second place on the ladder with a 7-1 โrecord.
Harris’sโข return to form is notably notable after a shoulder injury cut her 2023 season short, playing only one game. โฃ”Last season I wasn’t able to play, so it’s a privilege to beโข out here. It’s heaps of fun playing footy,” Harrisโ told the Seven โNetwork.
Melbourne established early dominance,booting two goalsโค within the first twoโข minutes through Harris and Georgia Gall. Despite a goal โฃfrom Essendon’s Graceโ Brooker, theโข Demons controlled the first โคquarter, winning the inside-50โค count 11-2 and takingโค four marks โinside 50m.โ They led by 19โข points โคatโ halftime.
Harris continued to be a focal point in the third quarter, though a heavy collision with Essendon’s Amy Gaylor drew attention and โcould be reviewed for โhigh contact. She laterโ won a free kick but missed โฃthe resulting set shot.
Essendon โฃrallied late, kicking the final โtwoโ goals of the game, butโ Melbourne’s early lead proved insurmountable.
Madison Prespakis led essendon’s disposal count withโข a game-high 29, while โelizabeth McNamara (24 disposals) and โMaeve Chaplinโ (24 disposals, โ606m gained) wereโ key contributors for Melbourne.
The loss leaves essendon with a 3-5 record, jeopardizingโฃ their โfinals aspirations.
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