Crows and Power stuck in Port Pirie’s heat for their 15th Summer Showdown

Despite forecasts of 39C heat, the 15th Summer Showdown will remain with a 3.40pm start at Port Pirie forcing the Crows and Power to ask the AFL to expand its heat policy to protect the players.

Port Adelaide and the Crows will play their 15th Summer Showdown on Saturday — this time in Port Pirie in 39C forcing the AFL to invoke its heat policy to protect the players … and raising new debate on the timing of AFL pre-season matches. Picture: Mark Brake

• Crouch and draftees excite Crows
• Howard makes case for defence
• McAdam’s long hot brutal summer
• How Ollie’s injury drew out best in youngster
• The Phantom’s intel from Crows-Power practice match

Summer Showdown 15 will stay at its 3.40pm timeslot on Saturday, forcing Crows and Power players to work in 39C for their first full competitive hit-out of the AFL pre-season.

The AFL will invoke its heat policy with longer breaks between quarters and no cap on interchange rotations.

But the Crows and Power want more to protect their players — such as no limit on water carriers entering Memorial Oval at Port Pirie in a year when the AFL is to restrict the use of runners and drink stewards. In the premiership season, these team officials will only be allowed on the field after goals are scored.

Port Adelaide and the Crows will play their 15th Summer Showdown on Saturday — this time in Port Pirie in 39C forcing the AFL to invoke its heat policy to protect the players … and raising new debate on the timing of AFL pre-season matches. Picture: Mark Brake

The clubs also have asked the AFL to consider mid-quarter “drinks” breaks to allow the players to rehydrate.

Excessive heat forecasts will renew the debate on when — and where — the AFL programs the JLT Community Series pre-season matches.

Port Pirie will become just the third country venue to host a Summer Showdown, following Encounter Bay in 2000 and Kadina in 2004.

The presence of the two SA-based AFL teams in the country districts is considered a paramount public relations exercise for the Crows, Power and league. But there is the question of the challenges, particularly with changeroom space, posed to the AFL clubs away from regular league venues.

These challenges become more testing in hot conditions when the AFL clubs need to more staff working in smaller space to meet their “duty of care” demands to the players.

Adelaide football chief Brett Burton emphasised these points to The Advertiser.

“There are some planning and logistic challenges (with games in the country), but they are offset by the need to take the game to regional areas and engage with our members and supporters,” Burton said. “The health and well being of our players is paramount and we have a talented high-performance team which ensures the players are always well prepared.”

Darcy Fogarty on the burst during last year’s JLT Community Series clash at Alberton Oval. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Power football chief Chris Davies is waiting on the AFL to ratify the full conditions for Saturday’s match.

“Port Adelaide has provided feedback to the AFL,” he said. “We would like our water carriers to have the opportunity to be on the ground whenever required as opposed to just after goals have been scored.

“We’ll await the AFL’s decision on our feedback.”

Port Adelaide and the Crows will each name 28-man squads tomorrow (Thursday) when they step up their campaigns from the under-23 trial won by the Power at Thebarton Oval on Saturday.

The Power has declared All-Australian forward-midfielder Robbie Gray as a “certain starter” against the Crows after overcoming a knee complaint that sidelined him from the AFLX series in Melbourne last Friday.

“My knee is feeling good so I’m really looking forward to getting out there this week,” said Gray, who had corrective knee surgery in the off-season.

“I’m looking forward to getting into a competitive match and getting some match fitness. I love competing so I’m just looking forward to being out there.”

Port Adelaide will close its JLT pre-season campaign hosting at its Alberton base North Melbourne in a midday game on Saturday, March 9.

The Crows will be in the cool of the early evening on Friday, March 8 when they close their pre-season against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.

[e-mail]

Get the ultimate footy package. Stream every AFL round live on Kayo with The Advertiser 12-month subscription. Find out how here.