'Fellow players.' What we now know about some of the troll comments on photos of AFLW players, like Tayla Harris.

A day after AFL Women’s star Tayla Harris made headlines around the world, it’s been reported that some of the people leaving sexist comments on AFLW photos are actually male Victorian players.

The photo of Harris, who plays for Carlton, was posted by 7AFL on Tuesday, but it attracted so many vile and sexual comments, it was taken down.

There was a public outcry at ‘giving in to the trolls’ and so, the picture was re uploaded not just on 7AFL, but on prominent Instagram sites across Australia, with many individuals posting it to show their solidarity.

According to The New Daily, a recent comment making fun of AFLW player and former Olympian Cecilia McIntosh came from Josh Mellington’s Facebook account – a former Fremantle player.

Can someone tell former Docker, and current nerd, Josh Mellington that Mcintosh is always going to have more games at the top level to her name than he will… She’s also represented Australia in a few sports. You keep doing you, Mello ???? ???? ????????‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/7KD0ys60m0

— Paul Robinson (@paulrobinson422) March 19, 2019

Another Facebook comment, criticising Harris’ kicking abilities, came from the account of a man who plays for a semi-professional Australian rules football club in Melbourne.

At a press conference yesterday, 21-year-old Harris said, “These people are behind screens now but no one’s saying they aren’t going to show up at the footy at the weekend”.

“I genuinely consider that they might show up at the footy. If they’re thinking this way and able to write it down, what are they going to do when I’m on the sideline meeting some kids – that’s what I’m going to have to think about now,” she said.

“As much as it shouldn’t be the case at all, that’s the reality of it.”

The AFL has reportedly called for tighter controls to combat online abuse, with their integrity unit joining forces with Channel 7 to hopefully identify the perpetrators and ban them from future games.

Somehow we don’t think a man would’ve been subjected to this. Check out our video if a man lived like a woman for a day. Post continues after video.

Harris is also feeling empowered by the experience after seeing the floods of support.

“It is really amazing that the AFL community got around me. It’s not about me now, it’s about a much bigger picture,” she told RSN Radio’s Breakfast Club.

She also, on the radio show, slammed the comments as ‘sexual abuse.’

“Some of the comments were sexual abuse, what I would consider sexual abuse on social media,” she said.

She has also suggested that Victoria police get involved, and do their own investigations.

AFL chief executive Gillion Maclachlan said public vigilance was the best guard against such offensive commentary.

“She’s a star AFL player, there’s unacceptable commentary and people are holding those comments to account and I think that’s really pleasing.”

Here is just some of the support Tayla received:

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

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

This is Tayla Harris – epic athlete & footballer. This is AFLW. pic.twitter.com/JIbFvhqwTm

— AFL Women’s (@aflwomens) March 19, 2019

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Via @wainwrightholly and @mamamiaaus – This is @tayla_harris She’s an elite @aflwomens athlete at the top of her game. You’ll see this photo a lot today – it’s being reposted as a show of support after trolls attacked it with their usual high levels of wit and empathy. As Tayla says: “Here’s a pic of me at work… think about this before your derogatory comments, animals.” Full story on our website. Link in bio.

A post shared by Mia Freedman (@miafreedman) on Mar 19, 2019 at 2:49pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

We are with you @tayla_harris! ???? Here’s to our teams and #womeninsport who are killing it EVERY. DAMN. DAY! The Lorna Jane QLD Firebrids, NSW Swifts, NSW Giants and Auckland Northern Stars ???????? #FEARLESSLYFEMALE

A post shared by LORNA JANE OFFICIAL (@lornajaneactive) on Mar 20, 2019 at 2:21am PDT

Deleting the post is giving in to trolls. Also, you’re eliminating all the positive conversation. Also, you’re removing more content around women in sport – which there’s already so little of.

It’s up to everyone to moderate hate.#taylaharris
???? @MichaelCWillson pic.twitter.com/CRkYDrZpQK

— Darcy Vescio (@darcyvee) March 19, 2019

I hope that when this photo of @tayla_harris is bronzed into a statue that stands forever outside the @MCG, they use her tweet as the plaque beneath it. #aflw #taylaharris https://t.co/RlWXkfc4FP pic.twitter.com/QZfQO8AlKG

— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) March 20, 2019

Read More :

How a remarkable photo of AFL player Tayla Harris united Australian fans against trolls.

The men’s AFL photos that say everything about the trolling of Tayla Harris.