‘It’s been an honour’: Tributes flow for Giants veteran ahead of milestone match

She came to Australia as a Gaelic football star, and now Cora Staunton is one of the best in the AFLW ahead of what could be her final game as a Giant.

Cora Staunton will become the second GWS players to play in 50 AFLW matches when the Giants wrap up the season on Sunday. Picture; Jack Thomas/Getty Images

The Giants won’t be playing finals footy this year but they still have plenty to play for with club legend Cora Staunton set to become the second GWS player to bring up the 50-game milestone in the AFLW in what could be her farewell match.

Staunton has come a long way since a flight back in 2017 when she thought she was heading to Sydney for a few games before she’d return to Ireland to resume her career as one of the greatest Gaelic footballers of all time.

Fast forward a few years and she’s one of only several players to have kicked 50 goals in the AFLW, with Staunton heading into Sunday’s game against the Suns as her side’s leading goal-kicker this season with seven majors.

Cora Staunton has been one of the most dominant forwards in the AFLW. Picture; Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“When I first came here, did I think I’d even play five or 10 games? Probably not,” she said, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention she’s had this week.

“I thought I was going to be here for one season. And even then on the plane ride over to Australia for my first season here, I was thinking it was a one year thing and that I’d only have a quick spell.

“I’ve surprised myself that I’ve lasted this long because it’s a very physical game and it’s different to Gaelic football.

“When I came over in 2017, I was one of the top players from a Gaelic football sense, but then you come across to AFL and now you’re at the bottom of the ladder.

“I just wanted to challenge myself to get better, and obviously the first season I came in, I did OK and tried to do better the next season.”

Staunton is also one of the greatest Gaelic footballers of all time. Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile via Getty Images

That she’s been able to reach the milestone at the age of 40 is even more remarkable given she suffered a shocking leg break in 2019 that forced her to learn how to walk again.

Staunton said she considered giving the game away at that point but her competitiveness put an end to that chatter pretty quickly.

She has been a shining light for a young GWS side that has won just three matches this season, and she wants to see them reach their potential in the years to come as they chase a finals spot that has eluded them since 2020.

However, the 40-year-old remains undecided on her playing future, with a decision to be made in the coming months in Ireland as she enjoys some time off from sport given Gaelic football isn’t played during the European winter.

The 40-year-old hasn’t decided yet if she’ll return in 2023. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“I normally just assess at the end of the season and see where I’m at,” she said.

“I’ll probably need to go home because we’re in a bit of a bubble here, so it’s hard to make a decision.

“Thankfully, the club every year has tried to let me make my decision. They let me go home and freshen up so I can see where I’m at. That will be the case moving forward next season.”

Whether she plays on in 2023 or not will have no bearing on her legacy in the game, with coach Cam Bernasconi paying tribute to her contributions on and off the field.

He spoke of her “win at all costs” attitude and how her passion could inspire the club’s next generation of talent.

Staunton’s competitiveness has set the standard at the Giants. Picture; Sarah Reed

“There’s a reason she’s a quality player – and I think I said it to the group after she kicked her 50th goal – it’s no fluke that she’s a good player,” he said.

“The work that she does behind the scenes and the amount of extras she does (is unrivalled). She’s the oldest player on our list but she’s the first one out there working on her craft.

“The way that she can lead and set the standard for the young players coming through to see what it takes to become a good player, it’s been really impressive.”

Her impact on the club was on full display during Wednesday’s Zoom opportunity when youngster Georgia Garnett posed as a podcast host on the chat before revealing her true identity and telling Staunton how much she admires her.

“You are one of the most humble, fearless people I’ve ever met,” Garnett said.

“It’s been an honour to play with you week in, week out, and I love you. Congratulations.”

Originally published as ‘It’s been an honour’: Tributes flow for Giants veteran ahead of milestone match