'Unfit for footy': Calls for AFL to make drastic move after $25m 'disgrace' at SCG
The AFL is being urged to take the Sydney Swans away from the SCG until the iconic ground fixes its turf, after 'dangerous' and 'disgraceful' scenes on Friday night. The Western Bulldogs' 16.9 (105) to 14.12 (96) victory over the Swans was marred by complaints about the playing surface, with a number of players slipping over at the Paddington end.
The SCG hosted an Andrea Bocelli concert in April, and the turf at one end hasn't bounced back like curators expected. The patchy turf was particularly noticeable in photos of the Bulldogs chairing Marcus Bontempelli off the ground after his 250th game.
During the contest, a number of leading voices in the game expressed their displeasure. Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown labelled the surface a 'disgrace' and questioned how the AFL allowed the game to go ahead.
'Are you allowed to play on this surface? This is as bad as I've seen in years,' he said on Fox Footy. 'I remember playing early on the Colonial Stadium surface - and that was a sandpit - but this is shocking.
'This is disgraceful mismanagement by the ground, how they've allowed it to get to this. It's a real shame. It's been a really good spectacle, the ball movement, when both teams get going.'
Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said: 'What are the longest studs you're allowed to have now? Because you need three-inch studs to keep your balance here.'
Dale Thomas said on Channel 7: 'The grass in that turf area, it's as bad as you see. Players trying to lead, both forward and defender, all going to ground. Chunks coming out of it everywhere. It's horrible up that end.'
Former Adelaide Crows player Josh Jenkins labelled it a "genuine disgrace" on social media, while fans were calling for the AFL to step in and take the Swans to a different venue until it's rectified. On Fox Footy, leading reporter Jon Ralph pointed out the AFL got very lucky that someone wasn't injured.
'It frankly looks unacceptable and dangerous,' he said. 'In the last 27 days, there has not been a concert or, indeed, anything at this venue since the Adelaide contest (at the end of May).
'So, clubs receive a pre-match report, they basically have to tick it off from the AFL. They've been told they're not allowed to wear those long, metal stops. So, they're very much out of options. (There's) $25 million worth of AFL product out there - they're desperately hoping there is not an injury in the second half.'
He later wrote on social media: "The Sydney curator has nine days to get this deck ship-shape before Sunday week's clash against Fremantle. It's been downright dangerous. The AFL does a ground inspection before each game so this passed, but so lucky we didn't have a serious injury."
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Speaking after his side's nine-point loss, Swans coach Dean Cox said: 'There's been some challenges with the surface throughout the year. I look into other things; that's where I spend my time - things I can control.'
Just me or is the SCG still complete rubbish and unfit for footy?
— Will Schofield (@WillSchofield) June 27, 2025
Unsafe for play…..You hand out fines & suspensions for players laying 'dangerous' tackles but let 46 blokes run on sand traps.Send them to Optus next week 😉
— DtFootyFeen (@dtfootyfeen) June 27, 2025
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
It's been 85 days since the Andrea Bocelli concert at the SCG. It's beyond unacceptable the state of the SCG turf at the Paddington End. #AFLSwansDogs
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) June 27, 2025
That SCG turf is a disgrace. Clearly not safe. Unbelievable both clubs ticked it off as ok to play on#AFLSwansDogs
— Kane Neville (@kaneneville) June 27, 2025
How terrible is the surface at the @scg swans v Dogs. @AFL need to do something about this. Deplorable and unprofessional
— Alan Williams (@willieal9) June 27, 2025
Sorry but the surface of the SCG was a disgrace. Surprised there wasn't A major knee or ankle injury out there tonight. Don't know what's gone wrong, but it's not up to AFL standard.
— WanderingLach 🌏✈️🏈🏏🏉 (@LachlanB_) June 27, 2025
AFL should be speed dialling Accor Stadium, NRL plays Friday night there and not for the rest of the weekend. NRL might have to allow it or whatever but that would should be in much better shape than the SCG
— Ky Broome (@KyBroome35) June 27, 2025
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