Kangaroos weather storm

NORTH Melbourne overcame multiple delays, resulting from a severe thunderstorm in Sydney, and spirited resistance from GWS to prevail by 25 points in last night’s AFLW clash.

North backed up its 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, it looked doubtful whether the Round 2 opener would be completed but a crowd of 1365 stuck around in torrential rain.

The start was pushed back 43 minutes because the AFL’s head of football operations Steve Hocking was concerned about lightning, while a light tower also briefly stopped working. The rain eased in the first half but three light towers went out in the second term, at which point North led by 10 points.

Umpires deemed there was insufficient light and directed players to return to the rooms, with four minutes and 38 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Hocking discussed the state of play with representatives from both clubs and all parties agreed for the halftime break to be trimmed to six minutes.

“Jess Duffin and I are pretty prepared, I guess. We’re used to going on and off in cricket season,” a joking Kearney said at the shortened halftime. “But never footy. A very unique situation but both teams are in the same boat.”

GWS trailed by eight points at three-quarter time but North then seized control, with Emma King kicking two goals in the space of four minutes.