The Crows are bracing for a scorching start to their NAB Cup title defence, with temperatures tipped to reach 37 degrees at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

Adelaide’s first match of the triangular series, against St Kilda, starts at 4:10pm.

The ‘mini’ matches are scheduled to be played in two, 20-minute halves but if the AFL’s heat policy comes into effect, the game time will be reduced by two-and-a-half minutes per half. The policy also allows for additional time at the half-time break.

Physical performance manager Nick Poulos said the Crows were well prepared for the forecast heat.

“We’ve trained in this weather all summer,” Poulos said.

“We’ll adopt the standard procedures; ice vests, wet towels and a misting fan and slushy machine in the rooms for the players. We’ll also monitor their fluid intake and ensure they stay hydrated.”

The Crows will have more than an hour’s break between games on Sunday, with their second match against Port Adelaide scheduled to start at 6:20pm.

The majority of Adelaide’s 31-man squad will be required to play both games, with clubs able to name teams of 24 players (18 starting and six interchange) in each game.

Poulos said a lot of planning had gone into the program for in between matches.

“It’ll be a ‘mini’ warm-down, whilst also keeping the players active. We’re not going to throw them into the ice baths or cool them down completely – just a little bit to get their heart rates down and flush some of the lactic acid out of their systems,” he said.

“We’ll keep them switched on. It’s just like an extended half-time break during the season. Hydration and nutrition are the first priorities as the players come off the ground.

“We’ll do some mobility work, get the players in the pool and then Sando will want a quick meeting with them. They’ll have some individual time, do some more mobility exercises and then it will be time for the indoor warm-up ready to head out again.

“We’ll have it all planned out, but it can’t be so regimented that the players feel as though they can’t go through their individual routines.

“I’ve spoken to John Mitchell, the national coordinator for the Rugby Sevens program. They have routinely have about 90-minutes between games, so I picked his brain a bit. It will be a different experience for the players, having the longer break but we feel as though we’re well prepared.”