AFLPA concerned about Etihad surface

The AFL Players Association (AFLPA) has demanded the league consider relocating
games from Etihad Stadium given the poor playing surface at the arena.
AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said the standard of the surface in Friday night's
draw between St Kilda and Hawthorn was the worst he had seen at the stadium, and
that he watched the game hoping no player would be seriously injured.
"Not withstanding injuries, it was a game played in conditions which are
unacceptable for the style and standard of the game that is played in 2010," Finnis
said on Monday.
"The majority of players have indicated that if we can't improve on the situation
it's time the matter of the relocation of games be at least canvassed."
The AFLPA, AFL and Etihad Stadium management will meet on Monday to discuss the
playing surface and what can be done to prevent further problems with players
slipping on top of shifting turf.
The ground hosted three games over the weekend and while players slipped in all
three, Friday night's game was the worst affected.
On one occasion, Saints midfielder Leigh Montagna almost did the splits when he ran
to the middle of the ground from the edge of the centre square.
"The players slipping over on Friday night, in situations where in some respects it
looked like an ice skating rink, is unacceptable and that's as bad as I've seen it,"
Finnis said.
Finnis said the surface had become so bad that players might consider launching
legal action if they suffered an injury at the ground.
"The stakes are high in AFL football and any player who is injured, who might miss
games, has got a right to look at the basis for that injury," he said.