Harry Himmelberg has had a final two minutes to remember, taking a spectacular contested mark, kicking the winning major and making a desperate save on the goal line to seal a two-point win for the GIANTS over Hawthorn.
It was a case of death by a thousand cuts for the Hawks, the GIANTS kicking 4.6 in the final term to lock up the 10.17 (77) to 11.9 (75) come-from-behind victory at Norwood Oval.
Himmelberg soared high above James Sicily 30m out from goal, directly in front, and steadied his nerves to take the win with 90 seconds remaining.
Jarman Impey looked to have pinched back the game with a late bomb from 50, but Himmelberg – thrown down the other end for the final minute – saved the day with a back-bending touch on the goal line, checked by the goal review as nervous Hawthorn fans chewed fingernails.
Hawthorn generally moved the footy with more fluency down the ground in the first 1.5 quarters, but the GIANTS' defence – led by Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley – stood firm, the Hawks unable to add to their opening two goals until the final six minutes of the half.
The GIANTS looked to expose the Hawks' slightly smaller defence, with Jesse Hogan and Himmelberg throwing their weight around despite fewer opportunities in attack, piling on five straight goals across the first half.
Tom Green – playing game No.50 – was once again one of GIANTS' best in the first half, controlling play in the stoppages and kick-starting the GIANTS' attack. Conor Nash was tasked with a stricter shutdown role after the main break, holding him to 12 disposals after 20 in the first half.
As a consequence, Stephen Coniglio took the reins after the main break, finishing with 31 possessions, while skipper Toby Greene was never far from the action with 24 and three goals.
All eyes were on No.1 pick Aaron Cadman on debut, but Hawthorn's debutant Seamus Mitchell – who has done it the hard way, being reassigned to the rookie list – had an assured first game at half-back with 17 disposals.
Karl Amon kicked two goals playing on the wing, while former delisted free agent Fergus Greene played a key role across half-forward for the Hawks, moving smoothly, setting up teammates and kicking three goals himself.
The Hawks have battled fade-outs this season but started to control play in the third term, kicking four consecutive goals to take an eight-point lead to three-quarter time.
Chad Wingard suffered a nasty lacerated tongue late in the second term, was pulled from the game and sent to hospital.
Tom Green's slinging, spinning tackle on Josh Ward late in the second quarter may be looked at by the MRO.
GIANTS 2.2 5.7 6.11 10.17 (77)
HAWTHORN 2.3 4.5 8.7 11.9 (75)
GOALS
GIANTS: Greene 3, Hogan 2, Himmelberg 2, Cadman, Ward, Lloyd
Hawthorn: Greene 3, Amon 2, Breust, Newcombe, Sicily, Long, Brockman, Moore
BEST
GIANTS: Green, Coniglio, Taylor, Greene, Himmelberg, Cumming
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Worpel, Impey, Greene, Nash, Brockman
INJURIES
GIANTS: Nil
Hawthorn: Chad Wingard (tongue), Breust (corked glute)
SUBSTITUTES
GIANTS: Harry Rowston (replaced Adam Kennedy at three-quarter time)
Hawthorn: Cam Mackenzie (replaced Chad Wingard at half-time)
Crowd: TBC at Norwood Oval
