A CRUCIAL behind from Nicola Barr with just four seconds left has secured GWS a thrilling one-point triumph over Hawthorn at Henson Park.

The margin had stayed within single figures throughout a gripping contest that seemed set for a draw until Barr gathered a loose ball inside the Giants' forward 50 and snapped the decisive point in the 4.10 (34) to 5.3 (33) win.

GIANTS V HAWKS Full match coverage and stats

The Hawks looked on the way to victory with a strong breeze at their back in the final term when Bridie Hipwell kicked truly to give them a one-goal lead with four minutes remaining.

But the Giants (3-5) responded a minute later when Georgia Garnett marked on the goal-line and quickly played on to level the scores.

Both teams defended desperately in the final minutes as the ball pinged back and forth until Barr's timely intervention.

Alyce Parker was inspirational for the Giants throughout with a game-high 30 disposals, with Alicia Eva (21) and Garnett (20) also integral to their ball movement in tricky conditions.

The loss snapped the Hawks' (3-5) three-match winning streak and all but ended their finals hopes in an impressive debut season.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd overcame a slow start to be pivotal in the second half as the Hawks' skipper gathered 18 disposals, with young gun Jasmine Fleming also influential with 11 clean touches.

Both teams made a bright start on a sunny afternoon but it was the Giants who looked slicker, with some smart handballs opening up the game.

Tarni Evans sparked the Giants early with a left-foot bomb from the 50m arc that sailed high with the breeze for her first AFLW major and a goal-of-the-round contender.

Akec Makur Chuot raised the bar in the second term after reading a clearing kick deep in the forward pocket, knocking the ball to ground then having the composure to slot the goal from a tight angle.

But while both teams kicked goals of the highest quality, it was the Giants' run and carry in blustery conditions that gave them the opportunity to snatch the game.

Debut goal to dream of
The first goal of a career is always a memorable moment, but it was even more so today for GWS's Tarni Evans. In her 17th career game, Evans pushed forward to launch a left-footed bomb from the 50m arc that sailed through for a goal, the first of her career one of the highlights of the day. But Evans's effort arguably wasn't even the best goal of the game; in the second term, Hawthorn's Akec Makur Chuot intercepted the ball in the forward pocket, sold some candy and went with a right-footed check-side to squeeze through a beauty of her own, her first for the Hawks.

Hawks end bizarre drought
It took eight rounds, but Hawthorn finally kicked the opening goal of the game for the first time in its AFLW history. The Hawks headed into today's match with a 35-115 scoreline in first quarters this season but made good on their pledge to reverse the trend and get a fast start today. They won the first quarter 12 points to nine and actually led at every change, but it wasn't enough to seal the win.

Up next
The Hawks face a tough test night next Saturday night against the in-form Brisbane, while the Giants will be on the road in Mildura to take on Richmond.

GWS GIANTS    1.3    3.5    3.7    4.10 (34)
HAWTHORN    2.0    4.1    4.2    5.3 (33)

GOALS
GWS Giants: Barr, Evans, Mowbray, Garnett
Hawthorn: Duffin, Fellows, Makur Chuot, McDonagh, Hipwell

BEST
GWS Giants: Parker, Garnett, Eva, Barr
Hawthorn: Lucas-Rodd, Fleming, Gilroy

INJURIES
GWS Giants: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil