AFL and NRL footy finals forecast: What Australians can expect

Heat is set to be a factor in both the AFL and NRL grand finals, with concerns conditions could be pushed into the ‘red zone’ – or beyond. This is what it means for the players and fans.

Hot weather.

Grand final weekend is set to be a sizzler, with temperatures tipped to reach 29°C for Saturday’s AFL clash between Collingwood and Brisbane, and 37°C for Sunday’s NRL decider between Brisbane and Penrith.

The forecast maximums have prompted concern about player and spectator safety, particularly on Sunday.

The NRLW final between the Knights and the Titans is scheduled to start at 3.55pm at Accor Stadium, when the mercury could be close to the forecasted peak of 37°C. Kick-off for the NRL grand final is not until 7.30pm, when temperatures should have moderated, but could still be in the high 20s.

The NRL will gauge conditions 40 minutes before the start of each match, using a Kestrel Heat Stress Tracker to determine local temperature, humidity and wind conditions.

The tracker produces a Heat Stress Index reading which will then guide decision making. In the “red zone” – an index reading between 200 and 250 – a drink break for each half will be implemented, the halftime break is extended and trainers are allowed on the field to carry drinks for players.

Raymond Fatal-Mariner of the Bulldogs is tackled during the round three NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers at Sydney’s Belmore. With temperatures in the high 30s, heat-safe measures were implemented for player safety. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Red zone provisions were implemented for several games in round three of this year’s competition.

If the Heat Stress Index reading goes beyond 250 – into the so-called “black zone” – the NRL’s protocols call for play to be delayed or suspended.

“Black zone” measures have never had to be implemented for an NRL match previously, and with dry conditions forecast, it is anticipated that they will not be needed on Sunday.

But speaking to the media this week, the NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley said there was plenty of time in the schedule if the State Championship or NRLW matches had to be delayed.

“We’ve got plenty of room in the agenda for grand final day,” Mr Annesley said.

NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

Accor Stadium has also reminded spectators to be sun-smart by wearing a hat and sunscreen, and consume plenty of water throughout the day. Reports stated 25 per cent more water bottles were being stocked to cope with a surge in demand.

While temperatures at the MCG on Saturday are not expected to be quite so brutal, the AFL’s extreme weather policy allows organisers to reduce the length of quarters, extend break time, allow more water carriers on the field during play, and postpone or reschedule matches, if need be.

The weekend conditions continue a consistent pattern across all capital cities of temperatures spiking well above September averages.

Daily maximums are forecast to spiking 13°C above average in Melbourne on Saturday and 15°C above the September average in Sydney and Canberra on Sunday.

Temperatures in Brisbane have been four to seven degrees above the September average throughout the week, while daily highs in Darwin were stuck in the mid 30s.

Sky New Weather Meteorologist Alison Osborne said the conditions would not meet the conditions for a heatwave, which required three or more days of elevated temperatures by day and by night, along with a range of other conditions.

Sky News Meteorologist Alison Osborne. Picture: Supplied

Last week the Bureau of Meteorology issued heatwave warnings for the NSW south coast which was “quite unexpected for this time of year,” Ms Osborne said.

“Nationally we’re really dominated by a high pressure system, leading to cloud-free conditions over the tropics,” she said.

“When we don’t have cloud over the tropics, that starts to build the heat over northern Australia, and that heat will be pulled south, and southeast.”

There were indications of some relief for the south east of the country mid next week, Ms Osborne said.

Last week the Bureau of Meteorology officially declared Australia was facing an El Nino and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole – two climate phenomena associated with warmer and drier conditions in eastern Australia.

Originally published as AFL and NRL footy finals forecast: What Australians can expect