Close the roof.
That's the message from the footy watching public as the shadows on the Marvel Stadium turf made things tough for viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Melbourne was blessed with a nice sunny day for Carlton's clash with Brisbane at Docklands and whoever is in charge decided to get some vitamin D on the deck.
MORE: AFL attempts to reassure fans after yet another score view failure
Unfortunately for players and those watching on, the great big shadow cast on the surface made for some pretty unsightly television, as well as some squinty punters in the stands.
That's not to mention the players who would have to negotiate going from light to shade.
Plenty of viewers took to social media with their frustrations.
The roof looks as if it will stay open today. Imagine leading up and trying to take a mark squinting into this. @FOXFOOTY #AFLBluesLions pic.twitter.com/nUjVLsPKyI
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) June 8, 2019
Can anyone explain to me why the roof is open? #AFLBluesLions
— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) June 8, 2019
We talk a lot about what’s good for the fans and viewers, I’ll tell ya one thing that no one enjoys, the bloody roof open! Shambles
— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) June 8, 2019
Roof open @marvelstadiumau 🤦🏼♂️ shocking for everyone #AFLBluesLions
— Tom Rockliff (@rockwiz38) June 8, 2019
This is just horrible. The position of the Marvel stadium is bad enough for TV because of the shadows. Putting a high rise is now like having a laser beam pointing at us. Sun hitting the windows & reflection for it is ridiculous. #Marvel #AFLBluesLions #AFL pic.twitter.com/6NtEdqEhn9
— Collin G Wood ⚫️⚪️ (@Collin_G_Wood) June 8, 2019
It’s probably a blessing but I can’t see a bloody thing watching this #AFLBluesLions
— Adam Roy Davey (@RoyDT) June 8, 2019
Now, we get that footy is normally an outdoor sport and dealing with the conditions on the day is all part of it, but when you have the opportunity to play a match in a perfect environment for players, spectators and those watching at home, you might as well use it.
Ralf the Roof (seriously) has his own Twitter account, but he was conspicuously silent about the issue on Saturday.
That didn't stop angry fans giving him a piece of their minds in the replies to his most recent post.
As for the action on the field, Carlton overcome a goalless first quarter under new coach David Teague to rally, sitting two points in front of their more-fancied opponents at the time of writing.
The Lions led by as much as 37 points early in the second quarter.
