Melbourne weather forces AFLW contest into delay

Jake Beddard

•
Melbourne weather forces AFLW contest into delay image

Melbourne weather has done it again, putting on a miserable Sunday afternoon that has forced Carlton and GWS' AFLW match to be suspended temporarily.

After a rainy day that had seen showers pour down all around the city, the weather took a nasty turn, with thunderstorms and lightning emerging late in the afternoon.

The horrid conditions were close enough to Carlton and GWS' clash at Ikon Park in Carlton that the AFL's weather policy had to be enforced, with both sides coming off in the middle of the third quarter.

At the time play was suspended, the Blues led the Giants 10.7.67 to 0.2.2. 

MORE: What is the AFL lightning rule? When do games have to be stopped due to threat of storms?

As a result of the conditions, a 30-minute delay ensued before it was safe for both teams to return.

Ultimately, an hour of time had passed between the beginning and end of the third quarter, which ironically was seen out in sunny conditions. 

While not common, it's not the first time a professional football match has been delayed due to lightning. Last year, Collingwood and Melbourne's round 24 clash in the men's competition was suspended in the middle of the fourth quarter, before both sides returned and the Magpies cruised to victory.

Prior to Carlton and GWS' match, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs played in slippery conditions that was likened to a 'swimming pool.'

Upon the game resuming, Carlton would see out an easy win, defeating the Giants 12.9.81 to 5.5.35.

Shortly after, Gold Coast and Collingwood's clash in Queensland was similarly delayed for lightning at three-quarter time.

News Correspondent