AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) advises it has taken proactive steps to prepare for this weekend's expected heatwave.
After consultation with the Bureau of Meteorology, AFLNT has reviewed when the advised peak heat times are expected and made some fixture adjustments (below).
All clubs, volunteers, players, umpires and spectators are encouraged to drink plenty of water, seek shade as much as possible and apply sunscreen regularly.
AFLNT has also received help from its sponsor Kennards Hire to supply extra electrical fans which can be utilised by players and spectators alike at TIO Stadium, TIO Oval 2, Marrara Cricket Ground and Norbuilt Oval on Saturday, which is expected to be the main day of the heatwave. And also, thanks to Power and Water two extra drink stations will be set up around the TIO Stadium concourse.
As a result of the fixture changes, all Women’s Premier League games (including Sunday's between Tracy Village and Big River Hawks) will play 16 minute flat quarters with no time on, unless there is an extended delay due to injury and play has been stopped by the umpire.
See below changes by venue;
TIO Stadium
2:30pm – Tiwi Bombers vs St Mary’s (Men's Premier League)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/20 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade/use the cool rooms at each break
As a result, the following Men's Premier League games will start 10 minutes later than the originally scheduled times;
5:10pm – Darwin Buffaloes vs Waratah
7:40pm – Wanderers vs Nightcliff
TIO Oval 2
1:00pm – Darwin Buffaloes vs. Nightcliff (Men's Division 1)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/20 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade at each break
As a result, the following games will start 10 minutes later than the originally scheduled times;
3:10pm – Palmerston Magpies vs. Darwin Buffettes (Women's Premier League)
- 16 minute flat quarters, no time on (unless for extended injury delay)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/20 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade at each break
5:10pm – Wanderers vs. St Mary’s (Women's Premier League)
- 16 minute flat quarters, no time on (unless for extended injury delay)
7:10pm – University vs. St Mary’s (Men's Division 2)
Norbuilt Oval
2:00pm – Southern Districts vs. PINT (Women's Premier League)
- 16 minute flat quarters, no time on (unless for extended injury delay)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/20 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade at each break
Marrara Cricket Ground
1:30pm – PINT vs. Wanderers (Men's Division 1)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/20 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade at each break
As a result, the Men's Division 2 game will start 10 minutes later than the originally scheduled time;
3:40pm – PINT vs. Wanderers (Men's Division 2)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/20 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade at each break
Gardens Oval 1
2:00pm – Waratah vs. Big Rivers (Under 18 Boys)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/15 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade/use the cool rooms at each break
Gardens Oval 2
1:30pm – Waratah vs. Nightcliff (Under 18 Girls)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/15 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade/use the cool rooms at each break
As a result, the following game will start 15 mins later than originally scheduled:
3:15pm – Southern Districts 2 vs Palmerston Magpies 1 (Under 16 Hickman)
Brockman Oval (Jabiru)
The originally scheduled 1:30pm Men's Division 2 game between Jabiru and Nightcliff has been rescheduled to begin at 3pm.
3:00pm – Jabiru vs. Nightcliff (Men's Division 2)
- 16 minute flat quarters, no time on (unless there is a stretcher called)
- Extended breaks to 8 minutes/20 minutes/8 minutes
- Teams are allowed to leave the field to find shade at each break
AFLNT thanks clubs and the umpires for their understanding and cooperation with these adjustments, and the SportsTG fixture/results website will be updated to reflect the changes.
