Hawthorn completely dominated territory across the first three quarters of Saturday night's match at Ikon Park in Melbourne, with the Hawks entering the final change with what seemed to be a match-winning 42-20 lead.
Port had just 13 inside-50m entries to their name at that stage, but they kicked the first four goals of the final quarter to snatch an unlikely lead.
Kaitlyn Ashmore gave Hawthorn back the lead with just two-and-a-half minutes remaining, and scores were level with 105 seconds to go when the Hawks decided to play it safe by rushing a behind.
CRUCIAL FROM ASHMORE 😮— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) #AFLWFinals | #AFLWHawksPower pic.twitter.com/k62tlJb4HKNovember 16, 2024
There was one more slice of drama to come, with Port Adelaide's Sachi Syme kicking a behind with 90 seconds remaining to give her side the match-winning point.
The 7.8 (50) to 6.13 (49) victory lifts sixth-placed Port into a preliminary final against unbeaten North Melbourne next week.
The Power will enter the match as huge underdogs but full of confidence following eight wins in a row.
The Brisbane Lions host Adelaide in the other preliminary final.
Hawthorn players were left in tears after the match, with their inaccuracy costing them dearly against Brisbane and Port during their straight-sets finals exit.
The stats made for ugly reading for Port Adelaide in the first quarter.
Hawthorn won the inside 50m count 18-4, disposals 77-40, clearances 9-4 and contested possessions 34-22.
Star Port forward Gemma Houghton took a strong mark and kicked truly early in the second term to get the Power back within three points.
By that stage both teams had two goals to their name - Port from their five inside-50m entries, and Hawthorn from their 19.
Port's Caitlin Wendland showed she was armed and ready for battle against the Hawks. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)
And when Ebony O'Dea popped up for just the third goal of her 54-game AFLW career, the Power had a shock lead.
Jasmine Fleming's tumbling effort from 40m got Hawthorn back in front, and the hosts' halftime lead of six points would have been even bigger had Fleming not missed two late shots on goal.
Louise Stephenson and Bodey both kicked goals for the Hawks from the goalsquare to extend the margin to 22 points at the final change.
But two goals to Abbey Dowrick - and some heroics from Houghton - inspired a four-goal run from Port that turned the match on its head.
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