‘Concerns Mount Over SCG Turf Issues: Game Faces Potential Relocation amid Legal Woes’

Recently disclosed emails, unveiled by Nine’s Footy Classified, have highlighted discussions between Port Adelaide and the SCG regarding ongoing concerns with the turf dating back nearly three months.

This revelation follows intense scrutiny of the SCG surface during the recent match between Sydney and the Western Bulldogs on Friday, where players struggled with shifting grass at the Paddington end of the ground throughout the evening.

The problems can be traced back to a concert held at the venue in April, which remains unresolved three months later.

Moreover, Nine AFL reporter Damien Barrett has disclosed emails from Port Adelaide’s football chief Chris Davies addressed to both the SCG and the AFL, criticising the substandard quality of the turf during their round six match.

The initial email was sent the day prior to the match to seek clarification following a captain’s run that left players concerned.

Barrett noted that the response the Power received was merely “lip service”. Following the game, Davies sent a further email citing player difficulties in maintaining their footing.

This second email, as explained by Barrett, contained “devastating remarks” regarding the quality of the playing field.

Clearly, the issue with the turf persists, as both Bulldogs and Sydney players experienced difficulties with it ten weeks later.

One incident during the match particularly alarmed Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd.

This occurred when Bulldogs forward Bailey Williams fell on the ground, causing his leg to twist unnaturally.

Fortunately, Williams was unharmed, but Lloyd expressed his concerns while watching live from the SCG, stressing that an injury could result in legal action against the AFL and the venue.

“We perceived this incident as having lawsuit written all over it,” Lloyd commented on Nine’s Footy Classified.

“We were on the edge of our seats thinking ‘this could be an ACL injury.’ I was reminded of Shaun Rehn when he slipped on a plate in the middle of the ground.”

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Former Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel remains puzzled by the AFL’s decision to approve the surface as safe for play.

“I’m keen to know what is truly considered dangerous. Lloyd raised the Bailey Williams incident, and we were fortunate he didn’t injure his knee,” Bartel stated.

“If you don’t consider that dangerous, clarify what exactly is.”

Fremantle is set to take on Sydney at the SCG this coming weekend, and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has expressed his concerns about the playing surface.

“Once my intuition suggests ‘that’s not safe for players,’ I become worried. I felt that on Friday night. At times, it seemed unsafe to play on,” Longmuir commented on Sunday.

“We cannot place players in harm’s way.”