The NSW Swifts thought they could not suffer a more painful defeat than last year's grand final but on Sunday afternoon that is exactly what happened as the Queensland Firebirds, for the second year in a row, crushed the Swifts 69-67 in extended extra-time thanks to a clutch goal from Romelda Aiken in the greatest ANZ Championship game of all time.

NSW trailed by three goals with a minute to go in regular time but Caitlin Thwaites scored with sevens seconds remaining to get Rob Wright's team well and truly out of jail.

And then there was even more drama as Stephanie Wood, who made her first three shots for NSW, lipped one out in the final second of extra time with scores level to put everyone's jaw flat on the ground at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

The clock was then stopped, with the first team to go ahead by two goals crowned champions and on this remarkable afternoon in front of mostly vociferous Queensland fans, it was Aiken who delivered the killer blow to the Swifts in an even more painful manner than last year with the final three goals.