AN INTERCHANGE cap will not be enforced in the inaugural season of the NAB AFL Women's competition.

Teams will be permitted to have six players on the interchange bench (with 16 on field), as the League takes into account the hot conditions expected across the eight-week season.

An interchange cap was first introduced for the men's competition in 2014, while rotations per game were reduced from 120 to 90 for the 2016 season.

As previously flagged, there will be four 15-minute quarters (with time-on added only after goals or extended breaks in play), with quarter lengths expected to be between 17-20 minutes for AFLW.

There will be a 16-minute half-time break and eight minutes at quarter and three-quarter time to minimise the impact of heat on players.

In case of extreme heat, the AFL will monitor weather conditions in the lead up to each match.

The AFL will contact the clubs involved 48 hours prior to the match to discuss preparations should the Bureau of Meterology forecast excessive heat (wet bulb reading 28 or higher).

In that instance, the AFL would have the potential to alter the length of breaks or quarters.

Each club will be permitted additional water carriers on field, with venues to be equipped to limit the risks involved with warm weather.

The opening AFLW match between Collingwood and Carlton will be played at Ikon Park at 7.45pm EDT on Friday evening.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a top of 27 degrees for Friday.

Entry is free to all AFLW matches excluding games that form part of a double header with the JLT Community Series. For more information on purchasing tickets to those matches, please click here.