Lightning interrupts AFL Women's clash

Feb 5, 2017 - 8:53 AM Lightning forced play to be halted during Brisbane's 15-point win over Melbourne in Sunday's AFL Women's clash.

The Lions pushed through the dreadful wet conditions to claim a 4.1 (25) to 1.4 (10) victory in front of a crowd of 6500 at Casey Fields in Melbourne's south-east.

Heavy rain gave way to thunder and lightning near the end of the second quarter, with officials ordering players off the ground for their safety.

An early halftime was called with three-and-a-half minutes left on the clock and the Demons up 1.4 (10) to 1.0 (6).

The lightning soon dissipated and the teams played out the time remaining from the second quarter before switching ends for the third stanza.

Had the game been abandoned, it would have been deemed a draw under AFL rules because play was stopped before halftime.

The Lions seemed to benefit from the break, with Sabrina Frederick-Traub snapping a brilliant goal in traffic to put the Lions ahead.

With heavy rain starting to fall after just five minutes of play, it was little surprise the game was a scrapfest.

The Demons had a blustery wind in their favour in the first quarter but failed to convert their opportunities.

Brisbane soon took control of the game, holding the Demons goalless during the second half and booting two fourth-quarter majors to seal the win.

"We just had to ride it out as if it was a normal halftime" Lions coach Craig Starcevich said.

"I think they're ready for any challenge. They're a really spirited group and they don't mind an obstacle or two."

Melbourne coach Mick Stinear said his side struggled to adapt to the conditions and didn't make the best of their early momentum.

"We probably took a little too long to adjust," he said.

"There were opportunities to get forward and put the other team under pressure and we kept looking for that extra handball."

Lions onballer Emily Bates (11 disposals, eight tackles) stood out at the stoppages, Samantha Virgo marshalled the play from the backline and Frederick-Traub was a constant threat.

Demons captain Daisy Pearce (19 touches, nine tackles) relished the wet conditions, with Karen Paxman also impressive.

Demons forward Richelle Cranston is likely to face scrutiny for a high bump after barrelling into Lions midfielder Jamie Stanton during the first term.

Stanton left the field with a shoulder injury but returned to play out the game.

Source: AAP