GWS captain Alicia Eva is urging the AFL to support the game's development nationwide, fearing growing inequities for teams outside the sport's traditional heartlands.
Giants suffered an "embarrassing" 96-point demolition by reigning premiers Adelaide on Sunday, a result Eva described as leaving her the most devastated she has been during her time in the sport.
The former Collingwood player says the club has been aware of the lack of infrastructure and experience in NSW for a number of years, but last weekend's heavy defeat highlighted the acute challenges clubs outside the sport's spiritual home in Victoria face.
The Giants are joined in the bottom six of the ladder by Sydney, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and West Coast, with Hawthorn the only Victorian representative in the basement places.
"We don't want to be an excuse-driven side in terms of the performance we dished up on the weekend," Eva said on Thursday.
"But there are challenges within the infrastructure of the AFLW system and the state-based draft that has led to many acute inequities in the development of programs.
"That's probably the most significant here in NSW."
With the Giants' playing list dogged by injury, there are concerns the state-based draft will no longer be viable following this season's introduction of fellow Sydney side the Swans.
Eva acknowledged a national draft for a part-time competition would be unfair for players but said the current program is unsustainable.
"This is not me having a crack at the AFL," the 31-year-old said.
"It's me calling on everyone within the industry to look at what's going on nationally.
"We know we face certain challenges up here. Mentally it can take a toll."
Eva's comments come after an AFL Players' Association report released on Thursday showed players in the women's game gave the lowest rating (5.81 out of 10) when asked if they got mental breaks from the game.
The report also found AFLW players often worked unpaid hours and had inequitable access to resources such as medical care.
"There's so many exciting things that come with expansion," Eva said.
"But for growth and the betterment of the competition we need to make sure it's an equal playing field."
