The hazardous bolts involved in Hawthorn AFL star Jarryd Roughead’s scary near-miss at ANZ Stadium will be removed following a review of Saturday night’s incident.
Roughead was lucky not to suffer a serious injury when he slid across four bolts protruding from the concrete gutter around the field of play during the Hawks’ resounding win over Sydney.
The Hawthorn spearhead escaped with a ripped guernsey but the AFL launched an investigation into the incident and received a report on Tuesday.
The offending bolts are used to secure an emergency fire hose reel for other events at the multi-purpose stadium and are only exposed to the playing field when the perimeter fence is extended to accommodate AFL.
The league conducts ground inspections before every game but the bolts behind the southern goals were partially obscured by the safety netting that is erected to protect fans while players warm up with shots at goal.
“The AFL acknowledges this matter was not acceptable for the players in the match and its inspections of venue surrounds adjoining the playing surface will be more rigorous,” an AFL statement read.
“The stadium will remove the bolts this week and will also conduct a full perimeter check of the arena.
“The AFL will also audit all its other current venues.”
Roughead was playing his first match since having a melanoma removed from his lower lip.
He slid back-first across the bolts after Swan Dane Rampe pushed him in an attempt to stop him kicking a goal in the third quarter.
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