TonyK
CibbuanoClarkson attacks MCG surface
August 18th 2008 03:17
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has criticised the state of the playing surface at the MCG on Sunday.
Clarkson said the home of football was in the worst condition he has ever seen it.
"I reckon the MCG surface might need to get better because it's the worst I have seen it," Clarkson said.
"We are in round 20 and there was enormous talk about the Telstra Dome surface three or four years ago but Telstra Dome is miles better than the MCG at the present time."
Clarkson even blamed the slippery surface for the performance of skipper Sam Mitchell, who made several uncharacteristic skill errors in the Hawks' 29-point loss to Richmond.
"I don't know when they are going to re-surface it but it needs addressing," Clarkson said.
Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stephen Gough said the the MCG will be in far better condition for the upcoming AFL finals series.
"We will do our normal re-turfing going into the finals so you will see a significantly different MCG when we start the September action," he said.
"We usually look at what we need (in terms of new turf) going into the finals and then do it in that week leading up from the last (home and away) game to before the first week of the finals."
But Gough dismissed suggestions that the ground was in its worst condition ever.
"As we know it is winter, it is wet and a little bit soft so it is a bit different to normal," he said.
"But if you compare the ground to what it looked like in the 80's and even the 90's, it looked a hell of a lot different (then) to what we are playing on today."
"I think Telstra Dome is looking good but I don't compare them that way - the question is are we providing a good and safe workplace and yes we are."
"We have set such a high benchmark with the standard (of the playing surface) here and at Telstra Dome and one shouldn't."
Clarkson said the home of football was in the worst condition he has ever seen it.
"I reckon the MCG surface might need to get better because it's the worst I have seen it," Clarkson said.
"We are in round 20 and there was enormous talk about the Telstra Dome surface three or four years ago but Telstra Dome is miles better than the MCG at the present time."
Clarkson even blamed the slippery surface for the performance of skipper Sam Mitchell, who made several uncharacteristic skill errors in the Hawks' 29-point loss to Richmond.
"I don't know when they are going to re-surface it but it needs addressing," Clarkson said.
Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stephen Gough said the the MCG will be in far better condition for the upcoming AFL finals series.
"We will do our normal re-turfing going into the finals so you will see a significantly different MCG when we start the September action," he said.
"We usually look at what we need (in terms of new turf) going into the finals and then do it in that week leading up from the last (home and away) game to before the first week of the finals."
But Gough dismissed suggestions that the ground was in its worst condition ever.
"As we know it is winter, it is wet and a little bit soft so it is a bit different to normal," he said.
"But if you compare the ground to what it looked like in the 80's and even the 90's, it looked a hell of a lot different (then) to what we are playing on today."
"I think Telstra Dome is looking good but I don't compare them that way - the question is are we providing a good and safe workplace and yes we are."
"We have set such a high benchmark with the standard (of the playing surface) here and at Telstra Dome and one shouldn't."
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