In a season as short as the AFL women's, you would have presumed suffering a broken nose would be a doubly devastating blow to a player.
There's the not just the pain of the injury but also the possibility of missing a significant portion of what is just a seven game regular season.
The weekend before last, Cora Staunton sustained a broken nose while playing for the Great Western Sydney Giants against Collingwood. Late in the second quarter, she was struck by Sophie Casey. The player would receive just a one-game ban.
Staunton actually played on in that game wearing an ungainly bandage around her face. Neither did it prevent her from featuring for the Giants again this weekend.
The Mayo footballer was one of the best players on the pitch for the Giants as they drew with the Adelaide Crows.
Staunton recorded six disposals, three tackles, a goal and two behinds. Her goal game after she had put her head in danger's way to claim the ball in some slippery conditions.
"Honestly, her nose looks really good considering how badly broken it was," Giants captain Amanda Farrugia told Fox Sports at half time of the game. "She’s a complete fighter and there was no way she was going to miss today, so she’s really courageous."
Pundit Kate Sheahan also had some praise for Staunton.
"She’s standing up today. You don’t expect this from a big-bodied forward on a day like today.
"It’s too hard to do what they do well, which is take those contested marks."
Cora Staunton shows off her Gaelic skills with a nice set shot snap. #AFLW #AFLGiantsCrows pic.twitter.com/07CZqRcyV7
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 25, 2018
