MCG in race against time to get famed ground ready for AFL season opener as footy legend says turf damage from Ed Sheeran concert could be big problem for stars
- Concerns have been raised about the durability of the MCG surface
- Tracks grass damage from recent Ed Sheeran concerts
- Kangaroos great David King doesn’t believe turf will ’embed’
- Richmond will play Carlton in the AFL season opener on Thursday
- Three more games will follow at MCG in the first round
The clock is ticking for the MCG’s curators to have the iconic turf ready for the 2023 AFL season opener on Thursday.
The surface was badly damaged by two recent music concerts by pop superstar Ed Sheeran.
After the concerts, a huge piece of sod in the middle of the ground had to be replaced.
Work officially began on Wednesday, with the new $1 million turf reportedly to be paid for by concert organizers.
Two-time North Melbourne premiership winner David King has expressed doubts whether the surface will hold up ahead of the Richmond vs. Carlton showdown.
“I’m concerned about the MCG surface. A repair job that started less than two weeks ago, it’s a huge race against time,” he told SEN Radio.
The clock is ticking for the MCG’s curators to have the iconic turf (pictured) ready for the 2023 AFL season opener on Thursday
Dustin Martin’s Richmond version of Carlton – and up to 95,000 fans expect a pristine playing surface at the MCG on Thursday (pictured, in the first round last March)
Two recent music concerts by pop superstar Ed Sheeran left the playing field at the MCG in a state of disarray
“We’ll see all the photos come out today (Wednesday) and they’ll look great.
“There’s going to be green spray paint everywhere, it’s going to be seams everywhere, and they’re going to say, ‘It’ll smear, it’ll smear, it’ll go to sleep.’
‘[Problem is), it’s not going to get too much time to bed in.
‘The seams are what worries me….whoever ticks off on the viability and the safety of the surface has got a big job [on their hands] In my opinion.’
King admitted there is no chance of the first round between the Tigers and the Blues being postponed, but on Friday Geelong takes on Collingwood in another blockbuster at the same venue.
“They are at great risk,” he added. “I just think the MCG cut this way too finely.
“We’ve never seen so much of the MCG tear up as we have in the last two weeks.”
One saving grace for pressured trustees is the weather, with no rain forecast for Melbourne’s CBD for Thursday.
The AFL remains confident the MCG surface will be ready, telling 7News it has “no worries.”