Played at Blacktown International Sportspark, the fourth round of the AFLW season saw the 39-year-old boot four goals to help the Giants win 7.6 (48) to 4.4 (28).
Coming back strong after breaking her right leg in two places in 2019, the Gaelic football legend proved her AFL career isn’t over since arriving back in Australia last December and being released from hotel quarantine.
With the game in the balance, and the Giants’ lead just seven points after a goal-less third term, Staunton stepped up with two goals in two minutes.
Goals also came from Rebecca Beeson, Jessica Dal Pos and Tait Mackrill, and with 25 disposals and six tackles, GWS young gun Alyce Parker also continued her productive start to the season.
While the Eagles were able to edge the home side at centre bounces, winning clearances 7-6, they couldn’t match GWS’ depth at stoppages around the ground with star mid Alyce Parker dominant.
GWS coach Alan McConnell said the game began as a “bit of a shoot-out” early on before tidying up “both structurally and also in technique” behind the ball to look more solid from half time on.
The Giants now travel south to take on the in-form Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
