We at pcbycp follow the footy very closely indeed. And we’re shocked to hear about this latest bout of trolling directed at Tayla Harris. We are not shocked by Channel Seven pulling the image, that’s the sort of leadership we expect from telly executives.  What shocks us most is that the trolls have gone down the predictable path of pathetic sexist, misogynist name calling and innuendo. It’s typical of the mindset of feeble males and females who are a jockstrap short of the dencorub. The sort of people who have nowhere to go since dwarf throwing was banned at the Coolangatta RSL and World Champion wrestling was deemed inappropriate telly fare to midday watching kiddies 

But the rot began years ago. This is nothing new. 

For those amongst us who don’t follow footy we suggest you read something else, the Coalitions latest policy on decentralisation would be good for starters, after that you can read, (for some light relief) their climate policy. 

Back in 1934, we stood right behind the first ever womens footy team. Even though we (the evidence is still stencilled on the back of Cecil’s duffle jacket), “HATE CARLTON”.

Tayla shall have a stellar carer in footy, not only is she supremely athletic, but her name is of two syllables, having a three or four syllable name would’ve been disastrous 

Which begs the question. Is footy a metaphor for life?

WE reckon it is.

Tayla has achieved what Nicky Winmar did. Become a symbol of a broader societal issue. 

And for that she shall be either doomed or doyen-ed, 

Mick Nolan, BT, (Before Tayla) demonstrates old school footy physique.

Will the public do an Adam Goodes on her?

Not likely. 

Will they do a James Hird on her? Correction,  James Hird did a James Hird on himself, 

Will they do a Liam Jurrah on her, and send her to jail? Not likely she’s whiter than white, 

Ted Whitten (B.T), a ballerina in the air, a thug on the field. OSF, (Old School Footy)

We think they’ll probably leave her alone, but ask her to make no comment on the trolling. Like sledging, trolling seems to be the new norm. The lowest common denominator, and that’s what marks footy’s finest. Whilst we drew death as we watched Jezza take that mark in the 70 grand final, we thought, ‘These new Australians play good footy’. Or we all went out and bought Joncos’ cos Ted Whitten did. We knew that he was a thug in the field, but that’s old school footy. 

Nothing changes. Footy has always been a galvanising force to unite the high brow with the low brow.  That’s why we can laugh with the “Could’ve beens” and  the “Mangreeta footy show” and feel physically sick every time Sam Newman opens his mouth on the ‘other’ footy show, 

Royce Hart, (B.T) the full bottle drop kick.

Perhaps it’s the last vestige of breast beating masculinity. It’s the primitive in footy, the gamesmanship which in the Australian code is all about finding a weakness, even where there isn’t any. Ask Adam Goodes, about the pack mentality exploiting something fundamentally vulnerable in all of us, name calling, and the puerile obsession, (in case you haven’t noticed) with sex in a predominately archaic patriarchal ‘Anzackerish’ kind of society. In this context we understand Tayla as a threat. She’s strong, powerful and beautiful. Penis wielding oppressors are intimidated by that sort of thing. It makes kiddy fiddlers and church leaders blush. It’s not good for the orthodoxy. It begs the question; If Tayla is so good, then something must be wrong?  Perhaps it’s bit like Muralitheran’s bowling. He’s good, and that’s why there’s something inherently WRONG!

But let’s not forget the one singular thing. The most important and singular thing about Tayla, is she demonstrates intelligence and athleticism at it highest. She represents a positive youthful outlook and a window to the future. Our political class have been warning us about this sort of thing for years.   As Jacinta Ardern most recently demonstrated, we are a society on need of exemplars, who articulate beyond the narrow insular band of insecurity, xenophobia and bloke-dom. Tayla may be a symbol of great potential and a lightning rod for women. Perhaps she should move to New Zealand? On current projections Australia might be a drop punt short of the goal post. 

Children’s warning. A mis-directed Drop Punt could prove FATAL!

And as evidenced by messers Bishop, O Dwyer, Sharkie, and Banks, the goalposts keep moving.