The AFL has confirmed that the AAMI Community Series match between the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions at Blacktown International Sports Park on Thursday has been moved to a later start time of 7.10pm AEDT due to the current weather forecast.
Both the Swans and the Lions made a request to the AFL to play the official practice match in an alternative timeslot due to the extreme hot weather forecast for Thursday afternoon in Sydney.
"We have worked closely with both the teams and our broadcast partner FOX Sports to play the practice match at a later start time to mitigate the heat," AFL Executive General Manager of Football Laura Kane said.
"I would like to thank FOX Sports for accommodating the request and look forward to fans coming to watch this last hitout before the Opening Round of the Toyota AFL Premiership season."
In addition to the later start time the following heat mitigation measures will be in place:
- Each club to be permitted two additional water carriers
- Breaks at quarter-time and three-quarter time will be extended by two minutes and half-time will be extended by four minutes
