The reduction of the on-field support crew has changed the way players receive messages on the field and who they look to for information according to Nathan Grima.

With only one runner allowed on the ground, the defender took drastic measures to find out how long was left on the clock during the final quarter against Port Adelaide.

“Obviously you’re trying to run messages out and change position. The ball trickled out of bounds and I’ve thrown it out to the North supporters in the crowd, asking how long to go," Grima told SEN on Wednesday.

Doing their best to help, the Roo fans obliged.

“Someone yelled out that there was a minute and 20 to go. I’m thumbing him up and started trying to ice the clock when the game went for about another six minutes."

Despite the poor advice, North held on and won by seven points.

“When the game’s in the balance and you’ve only got one runner it’s pretty hard to get the time out.”

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“It goes to show how many kilometres the runners are ticking over.”

Grima will be hoping for the game to be well in hand this Sunday to avoid a repeat situation.