AFL commentators were left stunned after noticing an unusual addition to the Adelaide Crows' bench during a chilly night in Tasmania. Star Seven commentator Brian Taylor, known for his tough playing days, couldn't believe his eyes when he saw a heater positioned next to the players on the bench.
Heater on the Bench Sparks Controversy
"Have a look at that heater on the Crows bench," 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary pointed out. "Right now we're seven and a half degrees. 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."
Brian Taylor was immediately shocked. "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 continued: "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.
Comparisons to Other Sports
"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.
"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," Taylor added. Back in Taylor's playing days, players did in fact wear dressing gowns when they were on the bench.
Unusual Start to the Game
Cleary also revealed that the Crows 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. A separate car crash in town forced the Crows players to walk the last couple of hundred meters to the ground. It might be the omen they needed."
