It was billed as the coldest AFL game of the season and the forecast delivered with snow falling in the match between GWS and Hawthorn in Canberra on Friday night.

The crowd roared as the snow began to fall at the end of the first quarter in remarkable scenes at Manuka Oval as the ‘feels-like’ temperature dipped well below zero.

It is understood to be the first AFL game played in snow conditions but it didn’t catch the locals off guard with some fans sporting ski goggles in the stands.

“I must admit when the snow came down the crowd went a bit wild,” GWS star Heath Shaw told the Seven Network at halftime..

“That was a bit interesting … it’s obviously going to be a bit of a slog this game.

“(But) it’s not too bad. (My) hands are a bit numb at the moment but I’ll warm up and get back out there in the second half.”

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson famously doesn’t allow his players to wear long-sleeve jumpers and didn’t lift the ban in Canberra.

Clarkson was comically wearing shorts at the first-quarter hurdle.

The Hawks dominated the opening exchanges of the first two quarters and led 6.2 (38) to 4.1 (25) at the main break.

The Giants are chasing four straight wins for the first time this season and a top-four berth, while the Hawks are playing for pride.