TonyK
CibbuanoGabba officials hose down pitch fears
June 20th 2008 05:40
GABBA authorities have dismissed concerns over the state of the ground's surface ahead of Saturday night's AFL clash between Brisbane and Adelaide.
The Lions and the Crows have expressed their concerns over the centre-wicket area which Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews and his players have described as "concrete".
Matthews has warned Stadiums Queensland it faces a major lawsuit if it continues to ignore the dangers of the ground.
Adelaide have also indicated club officials would inspect the surface before the match and ask for extra watering if they deem it would ease the risks of injury.
But SQ, which administers the Gabba, said the ground met AFL standards and staff wouldn't alter the way it was prepared.
"The Gabba playing surface meets the standards set by the AFL prior to each game," a spokesperson for SQ said.
"These standards include parameters relating to the hardness of the wicket area.
"Ground staff take measurements to record the hardness of the wicket area in the centre of the field and other areas around the ground to ensure the playing surface meets the standards set by the AFL prior to each game being played.
"In addition, the AFL also inspects the field prior to each game to ensure the field is in a suitable condition to play AFL on."
The Lions and the Crows have expressed their concerns over the centre-wicket area which Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews and his players have described as "concrete".
Matthews has warned Stadiums Queensland it faces a major lawsuit if it continues to ignore the dangers of the ground.
Adelaide have also indicated club officials would inspect the surface before the match and ask for extra watering if they deem it would ease the risks of injury.
But SQ, which administers the Gabba, said the ground met AFL standards and staff wouldn't alter the way it was prepared.
"The Gabba playing surface meets the standards set by the AFL prior to each game," a spokesperson for SQ said.
"These standards include parameters relating to the hardness of the wicket area.
"Ground staff take measurements to record the hardness of the wicket area in the centre of the field and other areas around the ground to ensure the playing surface meets the standards set by the AFL prior to each game being played.
"In addition, the AFL also inspects the field prior to each game to ensure the field is in a suitable condition to play AFL on."
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