Snow tumbles in Canberra during GWS v Hawthorn game

Football fans and commentators have been left in disbelief as the heavens opened and snow began to fall during Friday’s game in Canberra.

Snow falls in Canberra at Giants v Hawks

It was expected to be a frosty night in the nation’s capital on Friday, but things reached never before seen levels during the opening quarter.

The heavens opened and the rain began to fall … only it wasn’t rain. It was snow making its way onto the ground in Canberra. Making it the first time in AFL history snow has fallen during a game.

Hawthorn adjusted to the chilly conditions better than the Giants as they kept their slim finals hopes alive with the 13.7 (85) to 4.5 (29) victory. But it was the snow falling that stole the day.

Shoutout to the 11,741 brave souls who've toughed it out through wind, rain and snow at UNSW Canberra Oval tonight! pic.twitter.com/ybwOBva6Qy

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 9, 2019

Fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing and those sitting in the stands were just as caught out. Although several were sighted sitting in the stands rocking the snow gear.

Watch the incredible footage of the snow falling in the video player above.

The commentary team were completely thrown off guard and struggled to keep up with the game as their focus was solely on the falling flakes.

Hawthorn finished the opening term with the six point lead, but the players may well have been furious with their coach Alastair Clarkson who has a ban on players wearing long sleeve jumpers during games.

Clarkson clearly wasn’t feeling the chill as he ran down from the coaching booth and onto the ground in a pair of shorts.

I see it. But I don’t believe it! Snowing at an AFL game. Wow#AFLGiantsHawks

— Roger Oldridge (@roger_oldridge) August 9, 2019

Snow is falling at Manuka ❄️ pic.twitter.com/M9gWA4TIk9

— rob harris (@rharris334) August 9, 2019

QT | History has been made tonight ❄️☃️

As for the the footy... Hawthorn lead by a goal!#AFLGiantsHawks

— 3AW Football (@3AWisfootball) August 9, 2019

This is amazing. #snow #AFLgiantshawks

— Declan Rurenga (@DeclanRurenga) August 9, 2019

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. ❄️☃️ #AFLGiantsHawks

— Adam White (@White_Adam) August 9, 2019

Hawthorn entered the night sitting in 12th spot on the ladder, two games behind eighth placed Adelaide.

The win pushes them up into 10th with the club hoping the Crows lose on Sunday to keep their finals hopes alive.

James Worpel, James Sicily and Liam Shiels led the way for the Hawks as they finished with a combined 93 disposals.

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The loss for the Giants keeps them in fifth spot on the ladder, but commentator Cameron Ling wasn’t impressed with the performance from the group.

“This is insipid from the Giants,” Ling said on Fox Footy.

Snow falls during the Giants vs Hawks game at Manuka Oval. Welcome to Canberra 🥶 pic.twitter.com/ZGIzZAkGl8

— Alex Ellinghausen (@ellinghausen) August 9, 2019

It resulted in their lowest ever score and in two games against the Hawks this season they’ve scored a combined 9.13 (67).

They’ll hope to bounce back over their last two games when they take on the Bulldogs and the Suns before the finals get underway.

Hawthorn need to defeat both Gold Coast at home and West Coast away and have results go their way if they’re to play in September.