“JUST trying my best to do my best”

It’s the simple mantra behind Tayla Harris’ growth in consistency during the 2020 AFLW season.

If the last two weeks are anything to go by, it seems to be working.

Harris has kicked three goals and averaged 12.5 disposals, lifting her work effort to cover more ground up the field, proving to be a valuable link for the team when transitioning from defence into attack.

It’s these efforts that the 22-year-old is most proud of when speaking of her own development.

“I’ve felt good, I’ve felt consistent,” Harris told media on Wednesday afternoon.

“I’ve just been doing my job for the team. It sounds really cliché, but it’s legitimate. I just want to do what I’m supposed to do.

“I had plenty of goals through the off-season that I wanted to achieve and I’m on my way to doing that.”

Carlton will be looking for its third win in a row when it comes up against St Kilda for the first time in the AFLW competition.

The Blues will have some insight into what to expect from the opposition on Saturday night, having faced off against the Saints in a practice match during the pre-season.

Still, Harris believes the Blues will need to be at their very best as they look to improve their chances of playing finals football.

“We can certainly win, that’s for sure. But whether we manage to bring everything together and everyone switches on on the night is a different story,” Harris said

“They’re a really well-drilled team. They came out really well structured and gave us a good run.

“I’m really interested to see how they go and I think it will be a good challenge. I think we can definitely get over the line with the way that we played. I do think they’re faring quite well.”

Saturday’s game also marks an important night for the Club as it looks to celebrate its third annual AFLW Carlton Respects game.

The Blues will add a touch of orange to their traditional Navy Blue, pulling up their orange socks to raise awareness for gender equality as a means to end violence against women.

“[Carlton Respects] is something that is incredibly important,” she told SEN earlier in the week

“It’s for raising awareness for violence against women and children. It’s something that, especially lately, is horrific.

“No-one in their right mind can say that that’s something that’s ok. What we can do is start the conversation.

“If someone says to anyone watching the footy game ‘why are they wearing the orange socks’. This is why.”

Fans wishing to show their support for the Carlton Respects program can do so by purchasing a pair of orange socks from The Carlton Shop.