FOR STAR Carlton forward Tayla Harris, positivity and the thought of helping others was key to getting through a tough 2019.
As has been well documented, Harris was the target of vile trolling after a photo of the high-kicking Blue taking a shot for goal was posted online.
Harris was strong and outspoken in her response, whether that was on social media, during interviews or at a large press conference held the day following the incident.
"As much as anyone would say, and I would say, just don't read [the comments]. It's much harder not to read something about yourself, it's human nature," Harris said.
"It was so foul that I actually was sick myself.
"The press conference was something I never had a second thought of doing. I knew it was the right thing to do, but it was something that I had to really get my head around and prepare for.
"It was something that was really uncomfortable to talk about, and something that I had never experienced before.
"The way I remained positive throughout this whole thing was that I knew I was helping people. I wouldn't change it because I knew the impact has been massive on a lot of people in a positive way."
Harris – who boxes outside of the six-month AFLW season – was a precocious athletic talent as a young kid, enjoying everything "except cross-country".
"Playing footy professionally was on my radar when I was a young person.
"I thought I would be playing in the men's competition. I didn't really consider the fact I was a girl, I just assumed if I was good enough, I would play.
"Conveniently, the AFLW became a thing in 2017, which was when I turned 18, so it all worked out really well."
