The Aussie rules football community has rallied around AFLW player Tayla Harris after a photo of her was the subject of disgusting comments online.

Channel Seven’s 7AFL Twitter account posted the photo by Michael Willson of Tayla right after booting a footy during Carlton’s win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

The stunning photo showcased Tayla Harris' athletic ability. Image: Getty by Michael Willson/AFL Media.

But within hours, it had attracted dozens of awful comments, some mocking the Carlton forward, the worst sexualising her.

The administrator behind 7AFL decided to take down the photo on Tuesday and release a statement.

"Recently we published an image of AFLW player Tayla Harris," the statement read.

"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 image attracted a number of comments, some of which were inappropriate and offensive. As a consequence, we have removed the image and the comments."

It's likely they thought they were protecting Tayla by doing this.

But Tayla quickly set them straight: she didn't need protecting.

The 21-year-old reposted the image on her own account with the message: "Here’s a pic of me at work... think about this before your derogatory comments, animals."

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

And it wasn't long before others in the AFL community took notice, deciding to rally around Tayla by sharing the photo on their own accounts.

Reposters included Geelong Cats player Patrick Dangerfield and broadcaster Gerard Whateley.

Elite athlete at work #GenW

(Elite photographer at play @MichaelCWillson) pic.twitter.com/1Je7AswacI

— Gerard Whateley (@GerardWhateley) March 19, 2019

???????????????????????????????? #Fthehaters pic.twitter.com/wkaGFzncZ2

— Patrick Dangerfield (@dangerfield35) March 19, 2019

This magnificent photo of Carlton's @taylaharriss by @MichaelCWillson is one of the best footy snaps I've seen. It was tweeted by @7AFL but removed because of trolling from pathetic misogynists with peas for brains. Please show your support for @aflwomens with a retweet. #AFLW pic.twitter.com/tthODrRxiI

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) March 19, 2019

How this incredible image of Tayla Harris by Michael Willson was; 1- seen as negative and drew trolls to comment and 2- that the @7AFL took it down as a result... ASTOUNDS ME! So I’m sharing it proudly! #GoTaylaGo #womeninsport pic.twitter.com/ErrdVOwskI

— Anna Meares (@AnnaMeares) March 19, 2019

there’s a thousand mediocre dudes but there’s only one Tayla Harris pic.twitter.com/Jemqeryb0p

— andie (@anndeejam) March 19, 2019

I am posting this magnificent photo of Tayla Harris from @aflwomens To support and celebrate a fantastic athlete in full flight. pic.twitter.com/FLUxkSAEnI

— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) March 19, 2019

THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE PHOTO https://t.co/a48ueZgPcM

— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) March 19, 2019

Thankfully, Channel Seven got the message, issuing an apology and reposting the image on their footy account.

"We're sorry. Removing the photo sent the wrong message," it read.

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

And that, my friends, is how you take a stand against sexist trolling.