The Giants appeared destined to claim a six-point win, despite being down to two bench players, after Zarlie Goldsworthy goaled from a free kick at the top of the square late in the match at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Sunday.
With 30 seconds to go, GWS's Pepa Randall received a free kick, but her poor attempted pass to Tarni Evans hung in the air, allowing Daisy D'arcy to spoil it.
In the subsequent chaos, Giants defender Katherine Smith was penalised for tackling Jamie Stanton without the ball, and the veteran kicked truly to salvage the Suns a draw - 5.6 (36) to 5.6 (36).
"We probably thought it wasn't going to be our day and then we got lucky with a free kick," Stanton told Fox Footy.
"That's my job, is to slot 'em - and I missed one earlier so I had to go back and nail it."
Coach Cameron Joyce added: "She's built for those moments, Jamie, so we had a lot of confidence she would go back and kick it."
STANTON'S KICK AFTER THE SIREN SECURES THE DRAW!— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) #AFLWGiantsSuns pic.twitter.com/fNJ5hDVXeaSeptember 15, 2024
The Giants suffered a blow before the match with Izzy Huntington a late withdrawal with knee soreness.
Then Cambridge McCormick and Emily Pease suffered ankle injuries.
In the third quarter, Nicola Barr required help leaving the ground after suffering what appeared to be a serious left hamstring injury.
The Giants' GWS Nicola Barr needed help leaving the ground after being injured against the Suns. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
"I'm really proud that they actually fought their way through and still walk away with two points," Giants coach Cam Bernasconi said.
"Obviously we'll review it and the last minute, it's a game that we (drew) in the end and we should have won.
"I think the girls will be replaying moments in their heads over the next few days and it's important that we learn from it, we improve.
"The key message I just said to the playing group is that last night our men's team learnt a hard lesson (in their semi-final against Brisbane). They have to wait six months to get back out there and play; we wait seven days."
Gold Coast midfielder Charlie Rowbottom (41 disposals, 13 clearances) was magnificent, while D'Arcy impressed in defence.
Giants skipper Rebecca Beeson (23 disposals) stood up, while Haneen Zreika (two goals) was busy.
The Giants led by eight at quarter-time and half-time.
In the third term, former GWS captain Alicia Eva kicked a clutch goal to nudge the lead out to 14 points.
The Suns started to chip away at the lead as the Giants tired, and Kiara Bischa kicked a goal just before the three-quarter-time siren.
Clara Fitzpatrick cut the deficit to two points with a lovely snap early in the final term, before the Suns drew level.
But neither team could land a killer blow.
The Suns (0-1-2) host Geelong next Saturday, while GWS (1-1-1) play cross-town rivals Sydney away.
