‘Snake in the grass’: Highly venomous intruder bizarrely delays AFLW game

Saturday’s AFLW game between GWS and Richmond was bizarrely held up due to a venomous snake intruding the ground.

A snake catcher picks up a snake on the sideline during the round three AFLW match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Richmond Tigers at Blacktown International Sportspark, on September 16, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“The snake in the grass has been found.”

It was the words from Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood as a sigh of relief went through Blacktown after Saturday’s AFLW game between GWS and Richmond was given the green light to go ahead after a bizarre delay.

The hold up was caused after a snake was sighted on the Blacktown International Sportspark oval ahead of the Round 3 AFLW game.

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The snake has been found!

📺 Watch #AFLWGiantsTigers LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/f1gWPJjnGg
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/3RvpXUG2uypic.twitter.com/e0OO9Ig5uH

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) September 16, 2023

Originally scheduled to start at 1.35pm AEST, the contest was pushed back roughly 30 minutes.

GWS women’s head of football Briana Harvey told Fox Footy during the interval the field intruder was believed to be a highly venomous red-bellied black snake.

“It‘s pretty interesting,” Harvey said.

“There’s a little red-bellied black snake on the ground at the moment, just in one of the far pockets.

“Obviously for the safety of everyone here we need just to halt the game for the moment.

“It is 34 degrees here and we are surrounded by bushland, so I guess it’s not that surprising.”

While we’ve learned to expect the unexpected in recent years, suffice to say, seeing a snake delay a game didn’t seem to be in the realm of possibilities.

One fan said it was demonstrative of why AFLW games had to be held at professional stadiums.

“Game delayed by danger noodle,” the fan jokingly wrote.

“Again, AFLW games need to be played at proper venues.”

Originally published as ‘Snake in the grass’: Highly venomous intruder bizarrely delays AFLW game