Canberra United coach Elisabeth Migchelsen has called on Football Federation Australia to put player welfare first in the W-League grand final and allow drinks breaks to protect players from the midday Perth heat this weekend.
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Migchelsen also urged her team to deliver a good performance as a fitting "thank you" to United States import Kendall Fletcher, who has been ruled out of a grand final appearance because she has already filled her guest player quota.
The coach voiced her concern for the health of her players as Canberra prepare for the huge task of tackling minor premier Perth Glory in the championship match on Sunday.
The match has been moved to a 12pm kick-off to suit broadcast scheduling in the eastern states, meaning the players will be exposed to the hottest part of the day in Perth.
The FFA guidelines use a web bulb measure - a combination of humidity, wind and radiation - to determine if drinks breaks will be taken in matches, with the mark set at 28 degrees.
Perth is forecast to reach 36 degrees on Friday and Saturday before dropping to 33 degrees on Sunday.
"Our semi-final on Saturday was very hot and we didn't get any water breaks at all," Migchelsen said.
"If it's hot you need to give the players a water break for their welfare in each half. It didn't happen last weekend and it's something I think the FFA really needs to think about and consider for the Perth game."
United will fly to Perth on Friday with the aim of winning their second grand final in four seasons when they plays the Glory.
Canberra are also driven by a desire to make amends for missing a golden opportunity to clinch the title last year after finishing the regular season on top of the ladder.
But Fletcher won't get a chance to join her teammates in Perth and will instead start a family holiday with her parents after her seven-game stint finished with an intense penalty shoot-out in the semi-final against Melbourne.
Fletcher started her guest stint a week early knowing she would be unavailable for the grand final if Canberra made it through.
"What can you say? Kendall has played seven games and now she misses out on the final," Migchelsen said.
"Now the team needs to step up and say thanks to Kendall and it's also Lori [Lindsey's] last game as well so hopefully we can give them a fantastic goodbye."
Fletcher insists she has no regrets about being forced to sit out the grand final.
Canberra United are deciding whether to will take their entire squad to Perth for the match, or only the game-day squad.
If it's decided the extended squad will remain in Canberra, American Fletcher will start a holiday in Sydney and find time to stop her sight-seeing to watch the grand final on television.
"I knew the situation going in so it's not a surprise I can't play. I'd love another shot at Perth, but any player would want that," she said.
"I'm going to be nervous, it's like when parents watch a game. Maybe when the game starts it will kick in.
"But my parents are here and we're getting into vacation mode. I'm just thrilled the team is there and we've got a chance."
W-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL: Perth Glory v Canberra United at NIB Stadium, Perth, on Sunday at 3pm (ADST).
TV: Live on ABC 1.
