Happy ending for family of Giants' Ward

A bad start to the day ended well for the family of GWS Giants co-captain Callan Ward, after they arrived late for Saturday's AFL qualifying final win over Sydney following the cancellation of their flight from Melbourne.

The family's 10.15am Jetstar flight to Sydney was delayed for two hours and then cancelled.

The Age reported the Wards got a text message less than two hours before take-off saying it had been delayed.

Only after going through security was the family fully aware of the problem.

Ward's sister Mickayla Ward said she found out the flight had definitely been cancelled via email a minute before it was scheduled to leave.

The reason given was engineering issues.

"We've been crying all morning," Mickayla said.

"It's been a nightmare."

The family got on a 1pm Virgin Australia flight but missed the start of the game which the Giants won by 36 points.