Darce
Hey champ.
Tayla
Darce, gimme a hug. How are you?
Darce
Yeah, good.
Tayla
Season going OK? Good win against the Catters in Round 1.
Darce
Not bad, everyone’s ready for a big Summer, but definitely missing you up there between the big sticks. We might cover the goals OK but it’s hard to replace a leader. It’s been a couple of years now since ‘The Kick,’ what do you reckon it all meant?
Tayla
Ahh gee. The kick? To be honest, I just wanted the goal but it became a thing, didn’t it. I grew up being told I could do and be anything so it was disappointing to see some Australians think I couldn’t. It was 2019, not 1919. You don’t expect men – and some women – to say those things.
Darce
Did it change your view of things?
Tayla
Not at all. Maybe reinforced it? Equality, whether it’s about gender, race, ability – whatever – doesn’t mean much if it’s only for the space that has been carefully prepared for us. If equality is real it’s universal and people need to assume it, not police it.
Darce
You like a challenge though… Not this time?
Tayla
I prefer to let my feet and hands talk for me but yeah, I had to speak up. The comments and trolling didn’t affect me much personally, I can brush those off. But I have a platform and thought I could help others who might face sexism, sexual assault and hate speech in their lives.
Darce
Do you go about your business with no limits? Is that a thing for you?
Tayla
I’d say: yes. I find my limits if I reach them, not when somebody places them in front of me or throws some comments my way on social media. I didn’t really plan to have a statue put up or be anybody’s hero, except maybe my dad! But I guess if I’m out there having a go things are gonna happen.
Darce
You had a quote about that you told me didn’t you?
Tayla
Did I? Oh yeah. Gandhi. ‘When you fart running into the wind, you’ll never have to deal with the smell.’
Darce
Sorry, what?
Tayla
I guess it means I’m heading in the right direction?
Darce
Did he really say that?
Tayla
I googled it.
Darce
So statues, media interviews, competitions for kids… You’re a role model now!
Tayla
I don’t know about that. Anybody can make a difference and footy’s a team game. You just have to make sure you’re facing the right direction and you’ll get your chance to shine.
