Lightning forces late start to GWS v North Melbourne AFLW clash before light towers go dark

North Melbourne remains unbeaten to start the AFLW season after overcoming some wild weather, multiple delays and Greater Western Sydney at Drummoyne Oval.

Jasmine Garner gets a handball away under pressure.

North Melbourne has overcome multiple delays and a spirited resistance from GWS to prevail by 25 points in Friday night’s AFLW clash.

The Kangaroos, one of two new teams this year, backed up their stylish season-opening victory over Carlton by trumping the Giants 7.6 (48) to 2.11 (23) in extreme conditions.

IRISH: CORA LOVES HER GIANT ANONYMITY

KNEES: AFLW FACING GROWING ACL CRISIS

North 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 2 opener would firstly start and then be completed but a crowd of 1365 stuck around through a thunder storm and torrential rain.

Amanda Farrugia is tackled by Emma Humphries.

Kate Gillespie-Jones celebrates a goal.

The start of play was pushed back 43 minutes due to lightning close to the venue, while a light tower also briefly stopped working.

The rain eased during the first half but three light towers at the suburban venue went out late in the second quarter, as North led by 10 points.

Umpires immediately 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.

AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking was present at the game and discussed the state of play with representatives from both clubs during the long delay and it was agreed the half-time break was trimmed to just six minutes.

The scenes at Drummoyne Oval after lights went out.

A severe thunderstorm hits Sydney ahead of the GWS-North Melbourne clash.

“Jess Duffin and I are pretty prepared I guess. We’re used to going on and off in cricket season,” Kearney joked on Fox Footy.

“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 the Kangaroos 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.

Originally published as Lightning forces late start to GWS v North Melbourne AFLW clash before light towers go dark