Kiera Austin led a Melbourne attacking triumvirate as the Vixens posted their first win of the Super Netball season in a 61-55 thriller at home.
With all eyes on a marquee battle between Vixens centre Kate Moloney and Giants standout Jamie-Lee Price at John Cain Arena on Sunday, it was Austin's class that made all the difference.
The goal attack landed 26 goals, including two two-point super shots.
She also popped up for a handful of gains and deflections to deny the Giants attacking opportunities that could have swung the contest.
Moloney's work through the midcourt was a high point, as was wing attack Hannah Mundy, who took pressure off her captain with 38 feeds, including 27 that finished with an attempt at goal.
"I think we had some good patches and some scrappy patches, but that's because they are a quality side," Vixens captain Moloney told broadcaster Fox Netball.
Thirteen years after she left the UK to play in the antipodes, Giants co-captain Jo Harten was pitched into an opening-quarter duel with the Vixens' Jo Weston.
While the volume of her involvements are no longer what they once were, Harten's sublime vision, strength and shooting accuracy helped lay an early platform for her team.
However, it was all for nought as the wasteful and heavily penalised Giants were blown away 20-9 in the second term.
In a worrying sign, the visitors finished with 80 penalties, almost twice that recorded by the Vixens.
The home side swooped on a series of loose Giants passes and reaped the rewards of creative trio Moloney, Munday and Austin.
Matisse Letherbarrow's injection at goal shooter changed the game's momentum for the Giants after halftime.
The shooter landed 13 goals at 86 per cent accuracy in the third quarter, including three two-point super shots, to give the Giants a fighting chance.
Moloney later said "every team needs a Jo Weston", and it was the defender who forced two turnovers from the Giants to steady the Vixens in the closing minutes when the game was on the line.
