Rugby league officials have said the NRLW and NRL grand finals will not be subject to the governing body's heat management policy despite sweltering conditions at Accor Stadium.
Although temperatures at the Olympic Park precinct reached 36C during the earlier State Championship game between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane Tigers, the NRL said no additional measures would be taken.
The NRL has the power to introduce additional drinks breaks, extend halftime and increase the number of interchanges in light of extreme heat.
But a cooler breeze blew through later in the afternoon just when the Rabbitohs-Tigers match was finishing.
Nevertheless, slushie machines were on hand for the NRLW grand final that kicked off from 3:55pm to give players the option of a quick cool-down.
Souths claimed a 42-22 win and prop Shaquai Mitchell said the sapping conditions were some of the most gruelling he had played in.
"She was warm out there; us and the Brisbane boys were talking to each other about how warm it is," Mitchell told AAP.
"That says a lot if those fellas are saying it's too hot, coming from Queensland.
"The breeze made it worse, but the heat topped it off. My mouth was so dry."
Most of the 14,000-strong crowd for the State Championship clash, which kicked off at 1.30pm, sheltered in the shade.
Silky winger Tyrone Munro, who scored three tries, said he felt drained.
"It was pretty hot. It makes it harder with the breeze," he said.
"I didn't make that many tackles so I couldn't imagine how hot it was in the middle of the field."
Fans in and around the stadium were provided with additional water sources and sunscreen.
