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Tigers extend AFLW woes in big loss to GWS

3 minute read

Cora Staunton has booted four goals to help GWS record a comfortable 45-point win over Richmond, who remain winless in their maiden AFLW season.

KATIE BRENNAN of the Bulldogs during the AFLW match between the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs at South Pine Sports Complex in Brisbane, Australia.
KATIE BRENNAN of the Bulldogs during the AFLW match between the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs at South Pine Sports Complex in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Jason O'Brien/AFL Media/Getty Images

Richmond's miserable winless debut AFLW season has continued in Wagga Wagga, where Irishwoman Cora Staunton's career-best haul has helped GWS to cruise to a 45-point victory.

Staunton, in a remarkable return this season after breaking the tibia and fibula bones in her right leg, starred with four goals on Saturday as the Giants triumphed 7.14 (56) to 1.5 (11).

GWS booted the club's highest score in AFLW history and enjoyed their biggest win - and it might have been an even more-emphatic shellacking if not for a serious case of the yips.

"We knew we needed to come back after a poor performance last week against the Lions," Staunton told Fox Footy after helping the Giants to clamber into Conference A's top three.

"A nice win but it probably should have been bigger. We kicked 14 behinds and that's an improvement we need to look at this week."

There had been fears the 38-year-old, who has won four All-Ireland Gaelic football titles, might be forced to retire after last year's horrific setback.

Instead, she is spearheading the club's push to take part in finals for the first time.

One of the notable narratives of this AFLW season has been the cellar-dwelling struggles of expansion sides Richmond, St Kilda, West Coast and Gold Coast.

The other three newcomers have at least sung their respective songs.

Based on Saturday's performance, it is entirely possible the Tigers will go through the season without a win.

Captain Katie Brennan was an enforced omission at Robertson Oval because of concussion.

Monique Conti, Sabrina Frederick and Phoebe Monahan all had their moments but, otherwise, Richmond were simply outclassed all over the park.

The Tigers' frustration bubbled over on multiple occasions, including a scuffle late in the final quarter.

The only blemish for GWS, outside of their inaccurate goal-kicking, was Nicola Barr's hamstring injury.

Elle Bennetts returned to the field after an injury scare in the third term, when her left leg twisted awkwardly in a tackle. Barr is likely to be on the sidelines for a couple of weeks.

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