The surface at Optus stadium is a genuine issue

[DivideandMultiply]

It's been mentioned a number of times in the media, an overly hard surface which is contributing to lower leg soreness and injury. Both at WC and for visiting sides.

It took stadium management a number of weeks to address complaints, telling WC not to train at the ground. Now there has been another lower leg (ankle) injury, to a speedy player (Jack Petruccelle), the blow torch really needs to be put onto stadium management to defend the steps they have taken to rehabilitate the surface. They allegedly have a plan in place, that is progressing slower than expected, however the issue doesn't appear to be abating.

 

[Quivorir]

Both at WC and for visiting sides.

What about Freo?

 

[BallaratBulldog]

If the surface was too hard, how would that be fixed? I doubt it's as simple as more water and needs to be redone?

 

[DivideandMultiply]

What about Freo?

If I recall the NRL expressed concerns and Hill sustained his knee injury after being driven into the turf. Ross Lyon mentioned it was a concern, but said his players hadn't been as vocal as WC, Geelong, the NRL etc.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

If the surface was too hard, how would that be fixed? I doubt it's as simple as more water and needs to be redone?

I think their answer was to request a training ban for WC and Freo for a three week period, but I'm not sure what other action has been taken.

Ryan, Guthrie, Veneables and now Petrucelle are all quick players who have suffered ankle injuries on the surface. Both Sheed and Jetta, foot and calf, were spoken about in context of the surface and I think there has been 4 long term impact injuries, where players have collided with the surface that have also been chalked up to it's hardness. I know that the AFL/stadium management and state governments tend to get wound up about clubs and journos going public with these problems, due to issues of liability and fears over lawsuits or lost revenue, but the stadium management can't leep playing coy if players safety is being put at risk.

 

[Coaster2012]

Apparently has the same hardness as the GABBA.

It's new grass too. It will soften.

 

[shintemaster]

Seems surprising to me that this could be an issue given the well known problems at Etihad and the design of Stadium over car park. What was the AFL's involvement (if any) with the stadium? Surely as a key stakeholder they should have had input into these factors if they are going to be the employer that fronts Worksafe (or equivalent) when players are unreasonably injured.

 

[Truetiger]

A big issue. AFL should transfer the West Coast vs Richmond game to the MCG

 

[STPer18]

Ablett, Cockatoo, Guthrie all out mid/long term for us with varying leg-related injuries during the same match at Optus Stadium. Fair to say I'm wrapped we're not playing Freo there later this year.

 

[JRyan23]

We have suddenly picked up 2 leg injuries (stress related) from players who played both games in Perth, with all being out for over a month - Fiorini and Lynch

 

[Adz]

Unbelievable. You think the years it took to build they’d have time to get this right.

 

[The Prosecutor]

Daniher's groin issues kicked up from our r2 game v Freo.

 

[Belnakor]

Daniher's groin issues kicked up from our r2 game v Freo.

Why did he play like s**t that game too

 

[Cincinnatus]

Maybe they could tear up the concrete underneath, divide it all up and give a glass each to the modern day players and the AFL.

Get ****ed everyone.

 

[Quinz]

Yeah its becoming a real concern. Jetta also went out with a lower leg injury from Perth, came back two weeks later at home and has missed two games since.

Could be a coincidence but there's been what almost a dozen players miss games after playing at the ground already.

 

[Ron The Bear]

It had better be fixed by next week, otherwise we'll sue for muscular discrimination.

 

[SAweagle]

Get Michael Christian to take a look at it, he certainly seems to have a knack for removing hardness from AFL footy.

 

[Anja_Nees]

Relax, they’re replacing the AstroTurf at the end of the season.

 

[Brer Bear]

But the AFL OK'D IT. We should trust their judgement... Right?

 

[Brer Bear]

Maybe they could tear up the concrete underneath, divide it all up and give a glass each to the modern day players and the AFL.

Get ****** everyone.

Lol it's probably lead not concrete.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I think it’s just an excuse line AFL clubs dish out to try and lay blame elsewhere. Footballers get injuries, it’s part of the game. That is not to say the stadium has nothing to do with it but the AFL have a guideline on playing surfaces and it fits in this.
Is it the stadiums fault GWS have so many injuries?
There a bunch of toffy nose sportsman these days, once you ran out and played and no one cared. Now unless it’s a billiard table the poor buggers are a bit uncomfortable and even when it is a billiard table they still complain.

 

[Truetiger]

Relax, they’re replacing the AstroTurf at the end of the season.

Need to replace it with Etihad or Telstra Dome our Colonial Stadium grass. Worked well over the years haha

 

[Kwality]

If the surface was too hard, how would that be fixed? I doubt it's as simple as more water and needs to be redone?

Horse racing can measure tracks with the penetrometer:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penetrometer

Measuring would indicate success?

 

[Scott2clarkson]

Maybe the freo and eagles clubs should get the players to pee on the surface as it seems to be a bit hard

 

[Kwality]

I think it’s just an excuse line AFL clubs dish out to try and lay blame elsewhere. Footballers get injuries, it’s part of the game. That is not to say the stadium has nothing to do with it but the AFL have a guideline on playing surfaces and it fits in this.
Is it the stadiums fault GWS have so many injuries?
There a bunch of toffy nose sportsman these days, once you ran out and played and no one cared. Now unless it’s a billiard table the poor buggers are a bit uncomfortable and even when it is a billiard table they still complain.

Has the pre game warm up been changed - that bloke Hocking is Teflon coated.