Magazine: MCG looks to Greener Pastures
By Editor in A.F.L on 28th Aug 2008 8:50
The MCG has this week had a spring makeover in preparation for what shapes as a massive finals series in Melbourne.
An enormous turf-replacement program will be completed before Saturday's North Melbourne versus Port Adelaide game, with the entire centre square replaced. New turf has also been laid through the city end at centre half-forward and on the northern-wing side, which is shaded by the immense new northern stand.
If results unfold as expected, the MCG could host eight of the nine finals played this year. The stadium's surface drew intense criticism a fortnight ago from Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who labelled Telstra Dome in superior condition.
"I reckon the MCG surface needs to get better. It's the worst I've ever seen it," Clarkson said. But MCC chief executive Stephen Gough said the surface would be in magnificent condition for what should be a feast of football in September.
Four games in Melbourne in week one of the finals would see three games played at the MCG and one at Telstra Dome, with the semi-finals, preliminary finals and Grand Final all likely to be at the 'G. The MCG's finals-banking arrangement means it needs a certain number of games in September and this year's games should put it ahead of the ledger.
"We have laid a substantial amount of turf," Gough said. "Clearly we had a couple of curtain-raisers where we got rain at a time which didn't help. It has been a cold winter too. It wasn't a really wet year, but the timing didn't help.
"By the time we get to the finals and Grand Final, it will be fine." Gough said perceptions the ground was in poor condition were wrong when it was compared to the winter glue-pot of previous generations.
"For the past eight or nine years we have seen the ground in pretty good nick by the Grand Final, unlike in previous years where there were great patches going through to the old cricket pitch," he said.
This week's warmer weather, a week before spring, will also help the ground recover more quickly from games.
"When you get the sun out in September and you have freshly cut grass, it's just one of those magical smells," Gough said.
Source: www.news.com.au
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The MCG has this week had a spring makeover in preparation for what shapes as a massive finals series in Melbourne.
