“I’m just lost for words,” Rainbow said. “It was such an incredible game and such an incredible team effort.

“I’m just so proud of what the Tassie Magpies have achieved – having the two different states come together as one team has been an amazing experience. For me, I have loved every minute of being a part of this team.”

When the final siren had sounded, Rainbow was at the midst of celebrations on Sunday as teammates flooded towards her in the centre after an Australian Netball League grand final victory by the narrowest of margins.

The 54-53 heartstopper over Canberra Giants played in the nation’s capital was something that the popular figure wanted to share with everyone connected to the 21-year-old’s community.

“Winnaleah always has a real special place in my heart because the whole Winnaleah community just backs everyone,” she said.

“I think that showed [on Saturday] when the whole community came together to really celebrate Winnaleah.

“I am just incredibly humbled and lucky I have so much support from home.”

That extended to a social media photo for posterity with Maddie Carter, the pair have long known each since school days in Launceston.

They relocated to Melbourne, play Victorian club netball at Melbourne Uni Lightning and both joined Tasmanian Magpies this year.

“I have grown up with Maddie, she’s like my best mate and to share these kind of moments is something that I treasure so dearly.

“To have Maddie by my side, I’m so incredibly lucky.”

The Tasmanians were out of the blocks with a six-goal lead in the first six minutes, but that was as good as it got.

The Giants only hit the front three times – and by just one goal – but the Magpies never again led by more than four in a game of attrition.

“We’re just over the moon – it’s just starting to sink in,” Hobart-based assistant coach Claire Dennis said.

“This team really believes in each other – it’s really nice.

“It’s the perfect culmination to a season where we have belief and we’ve grown.”

The Magpies moved into a two-goal lead 90 seconds out before the Giants threw ball away with a minute left.

A missed Tassie shot with 25 seconds to go gave possession back, but two Canberra attempts failed to drop.

Dennis kept the faith the Tasmanians would hang on.

“The girls were actually really composed,” Dennis said.

“A couple of times this season when teams have fought back on us, we’ve lost our bundle, but we’ve kept going goal for goal for a fair while.”