AFL commentators have been left in shock after spotting an unusual addition to the Adelaide Crows’ bench during a chilly night in Tasmania.
Star Seven caller Brian Taylor — a famous hard man back in his day — could not believe what he was seeing when the players on the bench were spotted next to a heater.
“Have a look at that heater on the Crows bench,” 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary pointed out.
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“Right now we’re seven and a half degrees. (7NEWS weather expert) Jane Bunn tells me we’re going to get down to 4C as the game progresses, but the Crows are prepared tonight. They’ve brought their own heater.”
BT was in immediate shock.
“Oh, please. Is that for the staff or the players? Surely that’s not for the players,” Taylor said, while Cleary noted that key forward Riley Thilthorpe was “pretty close to it”.
Taylor: “Please. I’ve seen it all now. I’m shocked to see a heater on the bench. I’ve got to say, this is absolutely out of control.”
The Crows doctor later confirmed the heater was indeed for staff and to help keep the players warm.
“I’ve heard of buckets of hot water, I’ve heard of hand warmers, a hot water bottle … the electric blanket will be there next,” Taylor said.
Luke Hodge noted that English Premier League clubs have seat warmers for their players, but Taylor was having none of it.
Taylor: “Well, we have those in our car … Unbelievable. What is wrong with a dressing gown? I can see (Hamish McLachlan) as a dressing gown sort of guy.”
Back in Taylor’s playing days players did in fact wear dressing gowns when they were on the bench.
Cleary also revealed that the Crows’s had an interesting start to the game.
“All year the Crows have been worried about their starts to games. A few weeks ago, (coach) Matthew Nicks joked that they were stuck on the bus to start the game.,” Cleary said
“Well, tonight they literally were (stuck on a bus). A separate car crash in town forced the Crows players to walk the last couple of 100 meters to the ground. it might be the omen they needed.”
