Geelong coach Chris Scott has criticised the conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, citing recent concerts as a major cause for concern at the venue.
Following a 22-point loss to Collingwood on Friday night in front of a packed MCG crowd, the attention immediately turned to the injuries picked up by Tom Stewart, Tyson Stengle and Sam De Koning during the clash, while opposition player Jeremy Howe suffered a broken arm.
Stewart suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and didn't return for the Cats, with the blame immediately pointed at the surface.
Speaking to the media after the game, Scott admitted his side's loss to the Magpies didn't come down to the playing conditions, but did level some criticism at the venue following an off-season revamp.
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“I‘ve got an opinion I’m going to keep to myself - but the issue is that there are differences on the ground now,” he said.
“Some bits that are really firm and you can keep your feet and other bits that are really soft and you can’t keep your feet.
“I guess the point that is raised - and again, it’s not a criticism, it’s not my area - but it’s been a long time since the grand final.
“It’s the biggest game in the land and it’s the best ground in the world in my view, so to compromise a surface is a strange decision to make voluntarily.
“If stuff happens, and the weather is beyond your control, fair enough, but it was an own goal I reckon.”
After global popstar Ed Sheeran held a concert at the MCG less than a fortnight out from the AFL season kicking off, there had already been question marks over the ground and Friday night's dramas only amplified those concerns.
Scott was confident that both Stengle and De Koning would be fit to play Carlton in Round 2.
