Hicks did indeed take her game to another level Saturday night, following the lead of many of her older and more experienced teammates including Cora Staunton, Courtney Gum and Amanda Farrugia, upsetting the top of the table Western Bulldogs.

In front of family members in Canberra, Hicks was outstanding in her team’s victory in an energetic performance where she was in the thick of the action, taking marks, contesting the ball and perfecting those pinpoint kicks to unmarked players upfield.

Hicks also kicked her first AFLW goal as her team climbed to second place on the ladder.

She’s happy, as she knows she’s put in the hard work to be successful and the rewards have had a flow on effect, as she’s secured a spot in the playing squad over the regular season.

Hicks bought what coach Allan McConnell and coaching staff asked of the team.

“He just wants the best out of you and sometimes he might give you the hard word [if not putting in],” she said.

“You’ve got to train hard and earn it back, so it’s enjoyable.

“I got dropped the second week and then I just wanted to prove him right and I’m back in the side, it’s a good way to go about it I think,” Hicks said.

The Giants have come a long way since the start of the season and with a new training mantra and spring in their step, their destiny is now in their own hands; win against the Brisbane Lions and they will more than likely be 2018 AFLW grand finalists.