It would be inaccurate to say that the open roof is what caused the debacle of a game between Brisbane and Melbourne last Sunday, but it can certainly take some of the blame.
It is time to close the roof at Etihad Stadium during day games.
The players hate the roof being open and regularly struggle to see the football when they are facing the sun – just ask James Frawley.
Justin Leppitsch and Paul Roos both oppose the roof being opened and journalists are too afraid to ask Brad Scott on his opinion these days.
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd is another advocate for closing the roof, saying as much on Monday night’s Footy Classified.
So we know that the coaches and players hate it, but what about the umpires? You bet. It is a hard enough job as it is to umpire a game of AFL without having to contend with the sun and shadows.
It is a terrible spectacle to watch on television, and Channel Seven’s Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin has voiced his concerns, saying, “You only have to watch your TV screen to know the preferred option and that’s clearly to close the roof.”
With Melbourne’s unpredictable weather, there have been occasions of rain at Etihad, which is ludicrous when you consider why the stadium was built in the first place.
It just does not make sense to have these issues at what is supposed to be an indoor stadium.
As Paul Roos said, “It’s bizarre, I don’t understand why it is open because it’s an indoor stadium.”
So what is the big issue? Just close the roof.
Follow Jackson on Twitter – @jclark182
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