Kuwarna sent a reminder that it remains among the leading contenders with a ruthless 32-point victory over a brave Greater Western Sydney in blustery conditions at Henson Park.
The visitors made a blistering start with a stiff breeze behind their backs and broke the game open with a four-goal blitz that set up a 7.12 (54) to 2.10 (22) win over the Giants on Saturday afternoon.
The Giants stayed within touching distance with a pair of goals during their first turn kicking with the strong wind but were unable to close in on Kuwarna, as the breeze died down in the final term.
Danielle Ponter booted a stunning early goal to celebrate her 75th match in style and helped her side pile on the pressure.
Kuwarna used the wind and open spaces to their advantage while also dominating the stoppages with 31-17 clearances that helped unleash Anne Hatchard (25 disposals) in the midfield.
Ebony Marinoff (17 disposals, 13 tackles) took time to get going before having more of an influence when the game was on the line in the second half.
Caitlin Gould booted two goals for the visitors, while Niamh Kelly (16 disposals, one goal) was a livewire in the forward half and Ponter (15, game-high five clearances) won plenty of ball at the contest, as both sides found it difficult to slot their shots on goal.
Zarlie Goldsworthy was the key to the Giants' better moments as the hosts looked to get the ball in the hands of their more skilful players and the young gun finished with a career-high 25 disposals.
Eilish O'Dowd (20) battled hard around the stoppages and Emily Pease (19) added run out of defence, while the highly touted Sara Howley (16) impressed again in just her third game.
The Giants suffered a huge blow when former captain Alicia Eva was ruled out of the match early in the second term after being taken to ground heavily in a tackle and injuring a hamstring.
With the Giants lacking Eva's experience and the depth of the main contenders, Kuwarna gradually pulled away in the second half as they fine-tuned their ball movement with tougher tests to come.
SCOREBOARD
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.1 2.5 2.7 2.10 (22)
KUWARNA 4.7 4.8 6.10 7.12 (54)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: O'Dowd, Garnett
Kuwarna: Gould 2, Ponter, Boyle-Carr, N.Kelly, Hatchard, Thompson
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Goldsworthy, O'Dowd, Beeson, McCormick, Howley
Kuwarna: Hatchard, Goodwin, Marinoff, Biddell, Ponter, N.Kelly, Newman
