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-50 entries to their name at that stage, but they kicked the first four goals of the final quarter to snatch an unlikely five-point lead.
Kaitlyn Ashmore gave Hawthorn back the lead with 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 what turned out to be 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 Saturday at Ikon Park.
Port Adelaide, who had a 1-4 record after five rounds this season, will enter their preliminary final as huge underdogs but full of confidence following eight wins in a row.
The Brisbane Lions host Adelaide in the other preliminary final next Saturday night at Brighton Homes Arena.
Hawthorn players were left in tears after Saturday's match, with their inaccuracy costing them dearly against both Brisbane and Port during their straight-sets finals exit.
Port Adelaide ran rampant with 16 inside-50s in the last quarter, kicking 4.6 to 1.1 to snatch victory and spark wild celebrations.
The moment the Power reached their first preliminary final 🥹— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) @Toyota_Aus | #AFLWFinals | #AFLWHawksPower pic.twitter.com/h93naXwsqUNovember 16, 2024
The Power's teenage ruck sensation Matilda Scholz was huge with 24 hitouts, seven clearances, 350m gained and a crucial final-quarter goal.
"It's all a bit of a blur at this point," Port coach Lauren Arnell said after the win.
"What an amazing game of footy. I thought Hawthorn clearly were on top of us for the majority of the game..
"The message for our girls was to continue to believe in ourselves."
The stats made for ugly reading for Port Adelaide in the first quarter.
Hawthorn won the inside-50 count 18-4, disposals 77-40, clearances 9-4 and contested possessions 34-22 to take a 15-6 lead into quarter-time.
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.
Port's Caitlin Wendland showed she was armed and ready for battle against the Hawks. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)
By that stage both teams had two goals to their name - Port from their five inside-50 entries, and Hawthorn from their 19.
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' half-time 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 goal square in the third quarter to extend the margin to 22 points at the final change.
But two goals to Abbey Dowrick - and some creative heroics from Houghton - inspired a four-goal run from Port that turned the match on its head.
Time to celebrate ⚡� — AFL Women's (@aflwomens) #AFLWFinals pic.twitter.com/P5IVocnIf6November 16, 2024
"They destroyed us around the clearance (in the last quarter)," Hawthorn coach Daniel Webster said.
"We were putting extra numbers there and trying to lock down.
"To their credit they were stronger for longer, then up forward they were starting to take marks.
"We looked tired in that last quarter."
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