The turf at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has been a significant issue for the AFL this season. Recently, it attracted criticism from Geelong coach Chris Scott after a match on Sunday. The ongoing problem has centred around the Paddington End, where a concert earlier this year left the grass in a poor, slick state, compounded by Sydney’s continuous rain.
The situation became alarming after a high-profile game between Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, prompting intensive maintenance and scrutiny of the field. Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Williams experienced a severe slip on the damaged surface, raising concerns for his safety; fortunately, he emerged uninjured.
Scott, however, expressed his frustration with the centre square of the ground, which is set to accommodate cricket pitches over the summer. After Geelong’s victory over Sydney, he noted the stark contrast between the well-maintained surrounding grass and the extremely hard centre square, likening it to a cricket pitch in Mumbai, India. He remarked, “I know there has been a lot of rain up here, but the difference between the soft areas and the rock-hard centre is not good for AFL football.”
His post-match comments highlighted the curious condition of the square, suggesting that despite the rain, it seemed baked and unfit for optimal play. Scott stressed that if ground officials deemed the surface satisfactory for AFL matches, they might not understand what constitutes suitable conditions for the sport.
The situation also evoked humour online, particularly when Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc joked in response to Scott’s comparison, wishing that Mumbai cricket fields had as much grass cover as the SCG does.
Just as the AFL’s concerns over SCG turf reached a peak, the good news is that the venue won’t host any more AFL games until the 2026 season, alleviating current worries over the playing surface.