'Unsafe': AFL responds to rival coach's swipe at SCG turf as Sydney dilemma looms
The Sydney Swans face the prospect of their round 17 clash against Fremantle being moved amid fresh uproar around an SCG playing surface described as 'unsafe' by Dockers coach Justin Longmuir. The AFL's independent turf consultant will lead a delegation of officials sent to inspect the surface, which has come under fire after a number of recent incidents.
Port Adelaide were the first club to express concerns with the state of the SCG turf nearly three months ago, as revealed in emails sent by the club to the AFL. The surface has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April, with particular concern over the Paddington end of the ground.
The Power slammed the state of the ground before their round six match against the Swans, and sent an email to the SCG and the AFL which went largely ignored. AFL reporter Damien Barrett revealed on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night that Port Adelaide footy boss Chris Davies then sent a follow-up email after the game that included 'damning statements' about the state of the turf.
The issue reared its head again after Sydney's game against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, with an incident involving Bailey Williams particularly concerning. The Dogs star's leg appeared to buckle after he slipped on the surface, with Essendon great Matthew Lloyd describing it as a 'lawsuit' waiting to happen.
"We thought this incident had lawsuit written all over it," Lloyd told Nine's Footy Classified. "We had our hearts in our mouths thinking 'this could be an ACL'". Fortunately, Williams escaped injury but the incident proved another stark illustration of the concerns around the turf as players repeatedly slipped on the surface.
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The AFL confirmed on Monday that a team would be sent to inspect the ground this week along with representatives from the AFL Players Association. But with as much as 200mm of rain predicted to fall in Sydney over the next 48 hours, it could further hamper the hopes of the SCG being up to scratch for Sunday's game against Freo, sparking the possibility the fixture could be moved.
Fremantle's finals hopes were scuppered by a series of injuries to key players late last season and Dockers coach Longmuir fears his team will be put at elevated risk if they have to play at the SCG on Sunday. "I watched the (Western Bulldogs) game on Friday night, and we'll be led by the AFL, but the moment my brain goes to 'that's unsafe for players', I have a concern," Longmuir said.
"And I went there on Friday night. I thought it was a bit unsafe, especially down the left-hand side." Longmuir also made specific mention of the Williams incident and claimed the turf posed a risk to player safety. "I think the Bailey Williams one — we just can't put players out there and risk their safety if the ground's not right," he said.
However, the Freo coach said he would ultimately accept the AFL's decision if the ground is approved to host Sunday's game. "If the AFL deem it safe to play, we'll play, and I won't speak another moment of it," he said.
"The AFL approached us and they're going to look at it, like they should, and they've got the experts and will be guided by them. But I thought it was unsafe the other night." Fremantle (10-5) are just percentage adrift of third spot following a six-match winning run, with the 12th-placed Swans in danger of slipping further out of finals contention with another defeat.
That's shocking. @scg & @marvelstadiumau need to decide if they are an entertainment venue or a sports venue.
— Harry O'Brien (@Harry_OBrien9) June 27, 2025
Move the game to GWS ground. It's amateur hour
— Badgingarra (@Badgingarra2) June 30, 2025
I believe the venue change is still on, AFL will take the decision out of the Swans' hands. Up to 200mm over the next 2 days, will be impossible to lay turf and have it sewn in by Sunday. Expect Accor
— dobzyy (@dobzyy__) June 30, 2025
totally irresponsible to allow a game at the SGC this weekend. have a look at Sydney's forecast for this week; more than 200mm before the weekend !! zero chance of any surface improvement.
— Barry Gray (@BarryGr66) June 30, 2025
Must be embarrassing for the SCG team, but the important thing is to get the surface right and safe for players. Otherwise, you could be held accountable for any injuries that might occur.
— John Morris🇦🇺 (@JohnMorris1963) June 30, 2025
with AAP
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