NORTH Melbourne overcame multiple delays, resulting from a severe thunderstorm in Sydney, and spirited resistance from GWS to prevail by 25 points in Friday night’s AFLW clash.
North, one of two teams added to the competition this year, backed up their stylish season-opening victory by trumping the Giants 7.6 (48) to 2.11 (23).
Kangaroos captain Emma Kearney led from the front as the visitors showed more composure in slippery conditions and bizarre scenes at Drummoyne Oval.
At various points on Friday night, it looked doubtful whether the round-two opener would be completed but a crowd of 1,365 stuck around in torrential rain.
The start of play was pushed back 43 minutes because the AFL’s head of football operations Steve Hocking was concerned about lightning close to the venue, while a light tower also briefly stopped working.
The rain actually eased during the first half but three light towers at the suburban venue went out during the second quarter, at which point North led GWS by 10 points.
Umpires deemed there wasn’t sufficient light and directed players to return to the rooms, with some four minutes and 38 seconds remaining in the second half.
Hocking discussed the state of play with representatives from both clubs during the long delay and all parties agreed for the halftime break to be trimmed to just six minutes.
“Jess Duffin and I are pretty prepared I guess. We’re used to going on and off in cricket season,” Kearney joked at the abridged halftime.
“But never footy. A very unique situation but both teams are in the same boat.”
GWS trailed by only eight points at three-quarter time but North then seized control, with Emma King kicking two goals in the space of four minutes.
Giant Emma Swanson suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter and played no further part in the game, while North midfielder Ashleigh Riddell was unable to take part in the final quarter because of an ankle injury.
© AAP 2019
