Melbourne star Tayla Harris insists she will likely be uninhibited within the AFLW grand ultimate towards the Brisbane Lions, allaying fears over the extent of her shoulder damage.
Harris will line up in her fourth season decider on Sunday, wanting to snare her first premiership medal.
The 25-year-old forward-ruck has been given the inexperienced mild by Demons medical employees regardless of hurting her left shoulder in a ruck contest through the preliminary ultimate.
Harris opened a press convention on Monday by elevating each arms excessive within the air, lightheartedly displaying her free vary of motion in anticipation of questions in regards to the damage.
“My shoulder has pulled up better than expected, and that’s honest,” Harris informed reporters.
“The physios have all let me know that they probably expected a bit worse and that’s good to hear.
“I’m feeling nice and I’ve little question that I’ll be capable to compete at my finest capability on Sunday.”
Harris was hurt in a ruck contest with North Melbourne’s Emma King and was later limited to a permanent forward role.
She had little impact in attack, finishing scoreless from just four disposals, as Eden Zanker stepped into the support role behind first-choice ruck Lauren Pearce.
Harris expects to play her usual forward-ruck split in the grand final and isn’t bothered by the possibility of extra physical attention from opponents.
“They can attempt,” the professional boxer grinned.
Harris has been part of losing AFLW grand final teams at three different clubs; Brisbane (2017), Carlton (2019) and Melbourne (2022 – season six).
“Grand finals are laborious sufficient to get in, not to mention win them, so I believe I’m lucky sufficient to have been in them within the first place and can take the expertise, for certain,” Harris mentioned.
“Only one staff wins and there is loads of others which are doing all the things doable to get there as nicely.
“I won’t be thinking about the previous ones but I’ll certainly take the lessons (from them).”
Melbourne key place participant Tahlia Gillard can be free to line up within the grand ultimate after escaping with a $700 tremendous for a harmful deal with on North Melbourne’s Alice O’Loughlin.
The penalty for Gillard’s second tough conduct offence this season could be diminished to $400 with an early responsible plea.
