Heat prompts Sunday rethink
The AFL is likely to introduce extreme heat measures in Adelaide for Sunday's NAB Cup triple-header if an expected heatwave hits the city
ADELAIDE, Carlton and Port Adelaide want the AFL to allow extra players for their NAB Cup matches this weekend if temperatures reach forecast tops into the mid-thirties.
Temperatures for Sunday's triple-header in Adelaide are forecast to soar to 36C with the AFL considering allowing two extra substitute players per team, per game.
Carlton will take on Port Adelaide at 2.40pm (local) in the first game at AAMI Stadium, when the heat is likely to be at its peak, and Blues footy manager Andrew McKay says extra players will be helpful.
"That would certainly help us out," McKay said.
"It would mean we could sub someone off halfway through the first half, then three-quarters of the way through and then do the same in the second half, which would give everyone a bit more of a break.
"We're not looking to play any later … it's more about the ability to use those extra players and reconfiguring the length of the halves.
"We'll have the fans, ice vests, mist sprays and all that sort of thing. It's just a matter of being smart about it."
Port Adelaide and the Crows have also been in contact with the AFL regarding plans for the triple-header.
The AFL will closely monitor the weather forecast before making a call to implement any extreme heat policy measures, waiting as late as Saturday if necessary.
"We give clubs a guideline of the things that we'd consider doing, which include playing slightly shorter halves, extending the breaks and making changes to the interchange bench," AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said.
"All of those kinds of things can be on the table, but whether we implement any of those changes will be decided much closer to the game."
In the format introduced for last year's NAB Cup, first-round matches are played over two 20-minute halves. Each match could be reduced by up to five minutes if extreme measures are implemented.
This year, interchange rules have been tweaked to reduce the bench to two interchange players and two substitutes.
All three clubs are happy for the fixture to go ahead at the scheduled time.
"We're comfortable that if it is that hot then we know exactly what the rules are and we think that's all pretty fair," Crows football manager Phil Harper said.
Adelaide takes on the Blues in the second match of the day, which ends in a mini-Showdown between the two Adelaide teams.
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