TonyK
CibbuanoCats not satisfied with surface
August 15th 2008 06:30
GEELONG is not yet satisfied with the state of the ANZ Stadium's surface for Saturday night's clash against Sydney.
The quality of the ground's surface was criticised after the Sydney-Collingwood game on July 5
Geelong coach Mark Thompson said this morning before flying to Sydney that the club was yet to give it the all-clear.
"We haven't ticked it off," Thompson said.
"I think the AFL are up there checking it right now and we'll obviously have a look at it later on today."
"We want it to be suitable to play an AFL game or we will demand that."
But Thompson said he was confident that the surface would be okay to play on.
"From all reports and our observations I think it will be OK. We're not too worried about that."
Meanwhile, Geelong had the luxury of leaving out premiership trio Darren Milburn, Paul Chapman and David Wojcinski from its side to face the Swans.
The trio travelled to Sydney but Thompson said there would be no late inclusions and that they would be preserved for the Cats' round 21 clash against North Melbourne.
"I think more than ever if you have some players that can miss some games through the year it's absolutely a good thing because they come back fresh and good head space and really looking forward to play football," he said.
"So I don't think it's a problem at all."
Thompson admitted that Milburn could have played this week but the club wanted to make sure the veteran defender, who has been battling a groin injury, was fully fit before bringing him back into the side.
Chapman, who strained his hamstring in round 17 against Hawthorn will train with the squad and have a 90-minute walk with the coach on Saturday while Wojcinski, whose last game was against Fremantle in round 15 will play next week.
Key forward Tom Hawkins, who has not played any football in the past five weeks, will return this Sunday from a foot injury in the VFL.
"He's over all his soreness which is a great thing. As it worked out, the timing of us deciding to rest him was just perfect because I think he'll have a pretty good go at it now," Thompson said.
Thompson said playing the fourth-placed Swans at this time of the season was ideal.
"To be honest you'd much rather play Sydney than play a team that's lower on the ladder, down on the bottom of the ladder," he said.
"It's just better practice going into a finals series."
The quality of the ground's surface was criticised after the Sydney-Collingwood game on July 5
Geelong coach Mark Thompson said this morning before flying to Sydney that the club was yet to give it the all-clear.
"We haven't ticked it off," Thompson said.
"I think the AFL are up there checking it right now and we'll obviously have a look at it later on today."
"We want it to be suitable to play an AFL game or we will demand that."
"From all reports and our observations I think it will be OK. We're not too worried about that."
Meanwhile, Geelong had the luxury of leaving out premiership trio Darren Milburn, Paul Chapman and David Wojcinski from its side to face the Swans.
The trio travelled to Sydney but Thompson said there would be no late inclusions and that they would be preserved for the Cats' round 21 clash against North Melbourne.
"I think more than ever if you have some players that can miss some games through the year it's absolutely a good thing because they come back fresh and good head space and really looking forward to play football," he said.
"So I don't think it's a problem at all."
Thompson admitted that Milburn could have played this week but the club wanted to make sure the veteran defender, who has been battling a groin injury, was fully fit before bringing him back into the side.
Chapman, who strained his hamstring in round 17 against Hawthorn will train with the squad and have a 90-minute walk with the coach on Saturday while Wojcinski, whose last game was against Fremantle in round 15 will play next week.
Key forward Tom Hawkins, who has not played any football in the past five weeks, will return this Sunday from a foot injury in the VFL.
"He's over all his soreness which is a great thing. As it worked out, the timing of us deciding to rest him was just perfect because I think he'll have a pretty good go at it now," Thompson said.
Thompson said playing the fourth-placed Swans at this time of the season was ideal.
"To be honest you'd much rather play Sydney than play a team that's lower on the ladder, down on the bottom of the ladder," he said.
"It's just better practice going into a finals series."
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