The Giants extended their advantage to 47-38 after three quarters but behind the efforts of Weston in defence and a cameo from Ruby Barkmeyer in attack, the Vixens stormed home to reach their second grand final in the past three seasons.

“We got ourselves in that situation so to see that fire and hunger in the end, we knew we were going to go all the way to the end and I’m so bloody excited from that,” Watson said following her side’s emotional win.

The result ended the Giants’ hopes of reaching their third grand final and the chance to claim the club’s first national league title.

“I’m so proud of us. We have to live by the wind and the losses of the season and it came down to one goal, but we gave it everything tonight,” captain Harten said in the aftermath of their heartbreaking defeat.