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Alyssa Healy's 'brilliant' tweet amid Tayla Harris photo furore

Amid the anger around the Tayla Harris photo controversy, Alyssa Healy has found a way to add some humour.

On Wednesday, AFLW star Harris said she’d been left repulsed by some online comments regarding a photo of her kicking at goal.

The photo showed Harris in full-flight, perfectly capturing her remarkable kicking style and athleticism.

But it soon became the victim of online trolls, who targeted Harris with vile and degrading comments.

The incredible pic of Tayla Harris. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)
The incredible pic of Tayla Harris. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

“The comments I saw were sexual abuse, if you can call it that, because it was repulsive and it made me uncomfortable,” Harris told RSN radio on Wednesday.

“That is what I would consider sexual abuse on social media.”

Harris called on the AFL, and possibly, police to take action.

“If these people are saying things like this to someone they don’t know on a public platform, what are they saying behind closed doors, and what are they doing?,” Harris said.

Tayla Harris in action for Carlton. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)
Tayla Harris in action for Carlton. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

“These people need to be called out by the AFL, yes, but also taken further – maybe this is the start of domestic violence, maybe this is the start of abuse.”

After the Aussie sporting community rallied around Harris and shared the image countless times, Healy thought she’d compare the amazing pic to one of herself.

The Aussie cricket star posted a pretty unflattering pic of her own, writing: “Here’s a photo of me in full flight….. I think @taylaharriss may have done it with more athleticism and poise….”

The tweet was commended by a number of social media users.

‘Not an isolated incident’

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the problem was a societal issue.

“It’s more a challenge with the platform, social media, because this is not an isolated incident,” McLachlan told reporters in Sydney.

“But when it’s unacceptable commentary, more and more people are calling that out and that is what has happened here.”

McLachlan said the photo of Harris was iconic.

“It is, I think, a remarkable photo – it shows a great athlete at her most powerful,” he said.

Adelaide’s Erin Phillips, considered the AFLW’s best player, was among a host of athletes dismayed at some online responses.

“There is a lot of trolls that get away with things that shouldn’t be allowed,” Phillips told reporters in Adelaide.

“But in saying that, what a fantastic response from the community to get behind Tayla.

“It has empowered her. And it has shown to the community, to Australia, that it’s unacceptable to troll and put people down.”

with AAP