MELBOURNE has secured four key talls ahead of the next AFL Women’s season.
Tayla Harris, Rhi Watt, Gabby Colvin and Saraid Taylor have all signed on with the Dees for another year, committing until at least the end of 2024.
Todd Patterson, AFLW List Manager, said the signings were indicative of the confidence that the four players have in the program.
“It’s great for us to have another group of players commit to the club moving forward,” Patterson said.
“Within this group, we have a great mix of personalities and players in different stages of their careers.”
Patterson also praised their efforts to date, and the impact each continues to have.
“Tayla is one of the most exciting talents in the competition and is already working hard to help drive us back to where we want to be after an interrupted year with injury,” Patterson said.
“Gabby and Saraid will be important players for us moving forward as we regenerate our backline.
“It’s just a pleasure to be able to commit to Rhi for another season. She showed when required this year she can still compete at the level, and I’ve got no doubt she will build on this in her second season after her ACL injury. And as we all know, the group just can’t get enough of her.”
Harris has a storied history with Melbourne, having first played in the red and blue during the exhibition series before the formation of the AFLW competition. She then joined the Dees prior to the 2022 season and has played 37 of her 69 games for Melbourne.
In season 2023, Harris was sidelined for four matches with a hamstring injury, but nevertheless had strong impact and led the team in contested marks.
Watt joined the Dees midway through 2022; however, her ACL injury left her unable to compete. She played two games in red and blue in season 2023 and is a trusted member of the senior leadership team.
The ruck also represented Australia in volleyball and brings significant leadership experience both inside and outside of sport.
Colvin also played only two games for the Dees in 2023, having returned from an ACL rupture that kept her away from the game for over 500 days.
As a hard-hitting defender, Colvin brings energy and versatility to the side.
Taylor has yet to make her debut for Melbourne, having come aboard from Richmond just prior to the 2023 season.
The ex-basketballer showed enormous development throughout 2023, displaying talent and confidence in the scrimmage matches.
The quartet of talls join Kate Hore, Tyla Hanks, Lily Mithen, Paxy Paxman, Lauren Pearce, and Sarah Lampard in signing new contracts with Melbourne. Further signings are still to come this trade period, before the AFLW Draft on Monday 18 December.
