Just like a high-street bank, Guy McKenna believes Etihad Stadium’s troublesome roof should simply be open all week and closed on the weekend.
Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch and Melbourne counterpart Paul Roos both joined the debate over whether the retractable roof at the venue should be permanently closed or not following last weekend’s clash between the Lions and Demons.
Currently the AFL takes a flexible stance on the roof, leaving it open for some day games if weather conditions are fine but most coaches and broadcasters prefer to have the roof shut regardless.
Stadium bosses have claimed the playing surface at the venue would suffer if the roof was permanently closed, with the grass not receiving enough natural light to stay alive.
Gold Coast coach McKenna, who will take the Suns to Etihad for Saturday’s clash with Carlton, says with no teams using the stadium as a training venue there’s an obvious solution.
“From Monday to Friday, day, because there’s no Friday day games, that would be enough sun on that ground I would’ve thought to shut it,” he said.
“No-one trains on it from Monday to Friday, let’s be honest. If the roof’s shut, better spectacle, the grass can grow during the week, it’s better for everyone then.”
Casper
Guest
With comments like that it really makes me wonder whether I want McLachlan running the comp. It looked good having the roof open today but only because it was overcast.
Paul
Guest
Gillon McLachlan said ''We will do whatever the fans want with the roof". "At the start of the year, we surveyed our fans on this specific issue; I think it was early 60 per cent that said they would like the roof open when it was a nice day, so that is what we have been doing". I attend 20+ games at Etihad each year and have never been surveyed or seen this question asked in any other online surveys. The roof must be closed on those bright sunny days. Apart from the ridiculous look of players losing the ball in the sun, for those people sitting at the Coventry end on a sunny day it is awful. You spend the early part of the game with your hand or footy record shading your eyes looking straight into the sun. I also watch countless games on tv played at Etihad. The sun is an huge distraction for both people attending and those watching it on tv. The play going in and out of shadow is pretty annoying. Gerard Whately said on AFL 360 that he also prefers the roof to be open and thought he was in the minority. At least Robbo challenged him on this. The only people who should be surveyed about the roof are the players and the people who sit at the Coventry end. They are the ones that are most impacted. To survey random people who walk into Etihad or, for goodness sake, anyone online who may have never even been to Etihad is flawed and not an accurate outcome. I challenge Gerrard and Gillon to sit behind the goals in the sun and see how uncomfortable it really is instead of sitting on a wing or somewhere that they aren't looking directly into the sun..