Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has called for a major review of the maligned playing surface at Etihad Stadium this summer.
Kennett urged the AFL on Wednesday to undertake a wide-ranging examination of the ground during the off-season to avoid a repeat of problems highlighted this year.
Despite the surface receiving a tick of approval last weekend when it hosted two AFL games and the Bledisloe Cup rugby Test, Kennett remains unconvinced and says none of next month’s finals should be played at the venue.
“I would prefer no finals played there but that isn’t my decision, of course,” Kennett said.
“But I think over summer we’ve got to make some major decisions about usage of the ground next year and beyond.
“And I think we’ve got to review the actual composition of the surface of the ground above the car park.”
The only way Etihad would host a final is if Fremantle finished third or fourth, meaning all four week-one games would take place in Melbourne.
Kennett was outraged last week after watching players slipping and sliding all night during the Hawthorn-St Kilda round 17 match.
The surface recovered well after last weekend’s intensive football, according to the Western Bulldogs and stadium bosses, but Kennett remains unconvinced.
However, he conceded that the resurgence of controversy over the turf had forced the AFL and ground management to try harder to improve the playing area.
“We’re always going to have a compromised surface there, unfortunately, because of the roof, etc,” Kennett said.
“All that we can ask for is the surface be in as safe a condition as possible.
“I think all the focus over recent weeks has drawn the focus of both the managers of Etihad and the AFL to the quality of the surface and I hope that work continues to go on.”
Kennett said he had not been asked by the AFL or Etihad Stadium management for advice on improving the controversial stadium.
“I’ve heard from them, but not in those terms,” he said.
The ground held up well for last Sunday’s AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne, according to Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade.
Stadium staff worked into the early hours of Sunday morning to repair turf which had been churned up during the Bledisloe Cup match the night before.
“I watched a bit of the rugby and you saw in the big scrums… the surface was certainly shifting,” Eade said.
“But it certainly held up well, a couple of guys slipped over at times.”
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Apart from one five-goal game, GWS forward Toby Greene has only kicked six goals from the other eight games. He's traditionally had success against the Western Bulldogs.
Bayley Fritsch should become an even more important player from a structural perspective, given key forward Jacob van Rooyen will be unavailable due to concussion.
Tom Hawkins returns to familiar surroundings of Geelong - but is it the tonic he needs to regain some of his confidence back after a goalless four games.
Jeremy Finlayson should be a welcome addition to the Port Adelaide forward line after kicking four goals in the SANFL last week.
Last, year in the second showdown, Adelaide destroyed Port by 47 points with a staggering 20 marks inside 50 with Tex Walker the main star.
There’s no disputing that Cam Guthrie will be important against Melbourne, given Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss due to injury.
