Re: 2024 Practice Match Carlton vs Melbourne
Reply #7 –
What possible benefits can there be for players having to play in such stressful conditions?
Surely there has to be a cutoff temperature to protect the players.
If the AFL is comfortable with a projected temperature of 37 degrees, what is the temperature where it will say that protection of the players' health is paramount?
We're playing Brisbane in Brisbane in Opening Round. Any edge they would have had in hot conditions will be reduced by our practice game conditions.
It's not so long ago that clubs would have forked out for a training camp in 30 degree heat. Virtually every game in the NTFL season is played in similar conditions and those clubs don't have the medicos and conditioning staff and facilities that our players enjoy.
I imagine that the playing conditions will be modified in line with the AFL's extreme heat policy. That is, reduced warm up time, extended breaks between quarters and more water joeys. The benches may have misting fans.