AFL coaches have dismissed considerations over the state of the MCG enjoying floor forward of a bumper schedule of round-one fixtures.
About half of the well-known venue’s turf was changed because it underwent a $1 million restore job following two Ed Sheeran live shows this month, and the MCC has labored around the clock to convey the floor as much as scratch.
It has been assessed for issues of safety and given the inexperienced gentle for the blockbuster Richmond-Carlton season opener on Thursday night time
Tigers triple-premiership coach Damien Hardwick, who loved “a few beers” at one in every of Sheeran’s MCG exhibits, laughed off ideas the brand new turf won’t be protected for gamers.
“I went to Ed Sheeran and it was well worth it,” Hardwick mentioned.
“It was an unbelievable concert, so whatever condition it’s in … I don’t give a s***.”
Adopting a critical tone, Hardwick mentioned: “They’ll do an awesome job.
“The ‘G is at all times in good nick … it is a actually good deck and I’m certain it will likely be fantastic.”
Up to 300,000 fans are expected to attend AFL fixtures at the MCG in round one.
The schedule features four matches – Richmond-Carlton, Collingwood-Geelong, Melbourne-Bulldogs and Hawthorn-Essendon – over four days.
Like Hardwick, Magpies coach Craig McRae went to a Sheeran concert and said he has no concerns over the surface.
But he will be a keen onlooker when the Tigers and Blues kick off the season.
“At the second we have no cause to (be involved),” McRae mentioned.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
