Etihad likely to be liable re AstroTurf going to boundary

[saintspremiers]

"The Close Call case" let's call it.

Why does the artificial turf go right to the boundary line?
Seems a bit stupid and looks like it may be the cause of a season ending ACL.

Lucky for us, we don't have a game at Etihad for 3 weeks, so maybe the fake grass will be moved a bit closer to the fence and a bit more real turf just outside the boundary line.

Interesting case - sounds like Etihad may make a change regardless of court action/settlement details.

[remboy]

When did they extend the Astroturf to the boundary? Can't see any reason for it myself.
I heard someone interviwed on the news (not sure if it was an AFL or Etihad official) and they said they groung was inspected before the game and deemed to be fit for play. I would have thought it made the someone more liable if a player does his knee after someone has told him it's safe to play on.

[The Redeemer]

"The Close Call case" let's call it.

Why does the artificial turf go right to the boundary line?
Seems a bit stupid and looks like it may be the cause of a season ending ACL.

Lucky for us, we don't have a game at Etihad for 3 weeks, so maybe the fake grass will be moved a bit closer to the fence and a bit more real turf just outside the boundary line.

Interesting case - sounds like Etihad may make a change regardless of court action/settlement details.

I noticed it a few years ago and wondered, why?

What is wrong with grass?

[saintspremiers]

"The Close Call case" let's call it.

Why does the artificial turf go right to the boundary line?
Seems a bit stupid and looks like it may be the cause of a season ending ACL.

Lucky for us, we don't have a game at Etihad for 3 weeks, so maybe the fake grass will be moved a bit closer to the fence and a bit more real turf just outside the boundary line.

Interesting case - sounds like Etihad may make a change regardless of court action/settlement details.

I noticed it a few years ago and wondered, why?

What is wrong with grass?

Grass needs light and water to grow. They already use artificial light during winter to help grow the turf. Basically, it a maintenance cost saving using fake grass, although the initial installation is a lot more expensive than rolling out turf. The MCG also use fake turf as the new stands block a lot of natural sun in winter.

[gringo]

At the kick to kick I was saying to the kids it was s*** as runners slipped on it. The grass was perfect but that was really dangerous especially in footy boots and extended way to close to the edge of the playing surface.

[Bunk_Moreland]

Sounds as dangerous as the centre disc that Shaun Rehn did his knee on 15 years ago.

Bloody hell there are enough ways to do yourself in on a football field than to get your foot caught on Astro turf and bugger your knee for a year.

Really poor workplace safety. Players Union should go full bore on this. Protect their members safety at work.

[Saint_Ash]

The fake grass has only been extended to the boundary line behind the goals and at the interchange gates. These area are the high traffic areas and as such wear a lot more quickly.

It's basically a cost saving measure so they don't need to replace the turf.

[FQF]

When did they extend the Astroturf to the boundary? Can't see any reason for it myself.
I heard someone interviwed on the news (not sure if it was an AFL or Etihad official) and they said they groung was inspected before the game and deemed to be fit for play. I would have thought it made the someone more liable if a player does his knee after someone has told him it's safe to play on.

Is it even within the realm of possibility that the ground would be inspected before the game and deemed not fit to play on? That would cause the AFL, broadcasters, clubs and fans the biggest logistical nightmare imaginable that I suspect the inspection is a mere formality.

[fingers]

AFLPA are all over it apparently. Even though they apparently signed off on it.

[gringo]

The fake grass has only been extended to the boundary line behind the goals and at the interchange gates. These area are the high traffic areas and as such wear a lot more quickly.

It's basically a cost saving measure so they don't need to replace the turf.

That was were we went in at the interchange gates and the ground was packed so you couldn't tell how far it extended but you literally skidded if you pulled up on it in running shoes. It also has a tuck in at the meeting point.

[bigballs]

Another bad decision by whoever is responsible for this latest debacle. How it got passed and deemed to be safe in the first place is a joke. Etihad it seems are never short of controversy.

What is wrong with just leaving the normal turf there, it's not going to get muddy, at worst there will be a bare patch......so what!!

The safety of the players should always come first.

[Sainternist]

Sounds as dangerous as the centre disc that Shaun Rehn did his knee on 15 years ago.

Bloody hell there are enough ways to do yourself in on a football field than to get your foot caught on Astro turf and bugger your knee for a year.

Really poor workplace safety. Players Union should go full bore on this. Protect their members safety at work.

Ken Oath! Docklands has had its fair share of structural and grounds keeping problems, hasn't it? Will never forget its opening year when Jason Traianidis picked up a piece metal which fell from the roof onto the playing surface. That stadium was Jerry-built and liability. Should be bulldozed and rebuilt by professional architects and building contractors.

[Dr Spaceman]

Sounds as dangerous as the centre disc that Shaun Rehn did his knee on 15 years ago.

Bloody hell there are enough ways to do yourself in on a football field than to get your foot caught on Astro turf and bugger your knee for a year.

Really poor workplace safety. Players Union should go full bore on this. Protect their members safety at work.

Ken Oath! Docklands has had its fair share of structural and grounds keeping problems, hasn't it? Will never forget its opening year when Jason Traianidis picked up a piece metal which fell from the roof onto the playing surface. That stadium was Jerry-built and liability. Should be bulldozed and rebuilt by professional architects and building contractors.

Apparently there were a lot of players at a Northern Suburbs club falling on sharp metal objects a few years back and the Players Union showed very little interest in pursuing those responsible

[Bunk_Moreland]

Sounds as dangerous as the centre disc that Shaun Rehn did his knee on 15 years ago.

Bloody hell there are enough ways to do yourself in on a football field than to get your foot caught on Astro turf and bugger your knee for a year.

Really poor workplace safety. Players Union should go full bore on this. Protect their members safety at work.

Ken Oath! Docklands has had its fair share of structural and grounds keeping problems, hasn't it? Will never forget its opening year when Jason Traianidis picked up a piece metal which fell from the roof onto the playing surface. That stadium was Jerry-built and liability. Should be bulldozed and rebuilt by professional architects and building contractors.

Apparently there were a lot of players at a Northern Suburbs club falling on sharp metal objects a few years back and the Players Union showed very little interest in pursuing those responsible

Ahh pfft prove it. Show me the paperwork.

Oh you cant? Didn't happen then