Ahead of their third AFLW match in Darwin, Richmond and Essendon are now old hands when it comes to dealing with the heat.

The forecast for Sunday night's game is about 30 degrees with 50 per cent humidity come the opening siren which, while far from Melbourne's current weather, is considered manageable by the players.

The usual icebox rooms behind the bench will be in operation, with pre-match hydration considered key.

This year, Essendon's Georgia Nanscawen chose to make public her Indigenous heritage with the Waywurra mob for the first time, and is set take part in the pre-match gift exchange alongside Richmond forward and proud Indigenous woman from Tasmania, Mackenzie Ford. 

"Just being able to come together as a group and celebrate different cultures, and alongside the Bombers as well is really important, it's something we can celebrate together," Ford said.

"From my family perspective, coming from the other end (of Australia) in Tassie, it's really cool to come up here and have this experience as well."

One person who won't be in Darwin is Richmond's forwards coach Brendan Fevola, who suffered what was ultimately determined to be a minor knee injury in Thursday night's Legends Game.

Given the swelling around the joint, Fevola isn't allowed to fly north, with director of coaching and former Collingwood senior coach Steve Symonds set to take on the game-day role in his stead.

"He's honestly absolutely devastated; I think he's got more FOMO (fear of missing out) than anyone at the moment," Richmond co-captain Gabby Seymour said.

"Good news is that he's escaped any serious injury, so we're actually saying it's a bit of carry on that he's not up here at the moment. But he'll be good to be back in a couple of weeks, and we'll jump on the phone with him this afternoon. 

"He's just such an awesome presence. He makes everyone in that forward line feel like they're the best player in the world, and the energy he's brought our group has been invaluable."