Sydney coach John Longmire has criticised the round-robin format for the start of the AFL pre-season cup after the heat affected Friday night’s games.

The temperature was still at 32 degrees at halftime of the last game at Etihad Stadium as the Swans, St Kilda and Geelong won a game apiece.

It was no surprise that the Swans and Cats struggled without a gap between their games, while the Saints had an advantage in the last match because they had an extended break.

The 18 teams are split into six groups of three for round one of the competition, with each mini-match consisting of two 20-minute halves.

From next weekend the pre-season competition reverts to standard matches.

“The (round-robin) format is made more difficult in the really warm conditions with two and two (two interchange players and two substitutes),” Longmire said.

“It’s a significant difference between their energy levels in the first game than what it is in the second game with conditions like that.”

Longmire would prefer single games throughout the NAB Cup and extended interchange benches for hot conditions.

St Kilda dominated Geelong in the last match for a 21-point win, winning 1.3.9 (36) to 1.0.6 (15).

Second-year player Tom Ledger impressed in St Kilda’s two games and was their best against the Cats.

The Saints rested several stars for game two, including captain Nick Riewoldt, defender Sam Fisher and midfielders Lenny Hayes and Jack Steven.

Jason Gram was among the Saints who played game two and kicked the first nine-point supergoal of the night in the first half.

George Burbury, one of many Cats without senior experience who played on Friday night, also kicked a supergoal.

The undermanned Cats were too well-drilled for Sydney in game two, winning by 16 points.

The Cats’ squad featured only nine members of last year’s premiership team, but they kicked two goals to nil in the second half to win 0.4.5 (29) to 0.2.1 (13).

They used 11 players without senior experience.

New Geelong captain Joel Selwood starred against Sydney with 15 disposals and was rested for the late match.

In the first game, the Swans kicked six unanswered goals from 15 minutes into the first half to beat St Kilda by 30 points, 0.9.5 (59) to 0.4.5 (29).

New St Kilda coach Scott Watters had his team playing on and kicking more, but once Sydney settled they were able to catch the Saints on the rebound far too often.

Swans onballer Jude Bolton starred in game one, while Hayes was immediately burrowing for the contested ball as he returned from his long injury layoff.

St Kilda looked much tighter in the late match and were always in control against Geelong.