The NRLW grand finalists believe they can take the heat.
Newcastle coach Ron Griffiths has not addressed the expected heat for the NRLW grand final with his team, despite warnings that preparation for the tough conditions should have already begun. Temperatures of 34C have been forecast for Homebush at 4pm (AEDT) on Sunday, when the NRLW decider between Gold Coast and Newcastle kicks off. The NRL has hot conditions guidelines in place, which are more likely to be used for the NRLW game than the men’s match in the evening.
If the conditions are deemed unsafe, the game will be restarted.
Griffiths and Titans coach Karyn Murphy will not be preoccupied with the weather forecast.
“We haven’t spoken about it,” Griffiths stated.
“Obviously, as a staff, we’ve seen the weather reports, but at the end of the day, we just have to go out and play.”
“Whenever you play in inclement weather, it always has an impact on the game, but we just have to get through it.” There’s not much we can do at the end of the day.”
Murphy encouraged the NRL to step in if required.
“They’ll look at that like they have to look at that with the policy,” she went on to say.
“All we’ll do is concentrate on whatever is out there and play football like we always do.” Nothing has changed in our opinion.”
However, Dr Dom Condo of Deakin University’s health school told AAP that teams’ planning for adverse weather should begin well before the grand final.
“It can’t just be, it’s grand final day, we’ll start that morning with drinking some more water,” she went on to say.
“It really needs to be in the lead-up, at least three to four days before, increasing fluid intake, making sure that it’s not just water but also electrolytes.”
Dr. Condo warned that if teams were unprepared for the heat, it might endanger the players.
“As an overall, we probably start to become aware of it when it gets into those mid 30s,” she went on to say.
“We know that if dehydration is not treated, we can get a slew of symptoms like dizziness, fainting, tiredness, and headaches.” All of these factors can have a significant impact on performance.”
In other news, Isabelle Kelly has extended her contract with the Sydney Roosters until 2026, capping off a great NRLW season.
The skipper now has the Roosters’ oldest active NRLW contract, while teammate Millie Boyle has an option to stay after her contract legally expires in 2025.
“I’m incredibly proud to know that I’ll continue to represent the Sydney Roosters for at least the next three years,” he said.
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