'That's unsafe for players': Freo coach holds SCG fears
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has expressed concerns about the state of the SCG turf, saying he is worried his players will be put at an elevated risk of injury if they are forced to play there on Sunday.
AFL bosses are weighing up the option of moving Sunday's Fremantle-Sydney game away from the SCG after players continually slipped at the venue in the Western Bulldogs' win over the Swans on Friday night.
The surface has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April.
Particular concern during the Swans-Dogs clash centred on the Paddington end of the ground.
Between 35mm to 90mm of rain is forecast for Sydney on Tuesday in what will further hamper the hopes of having the SCG turf up to scratch.
Fremantle's finals hopes last year were torpedoed by a series of injuries to key players late in the season, and Longmuir fears his team will be at risk if they have to play at the SCG on Sunday.
"I watched the game on Friday night, and we'll be led by the AFL, but the moment my brain goes to, 'That's unsafe for players', I have a concern," Longmuir said.
"And I went there on Friday night. I thought it was a bit unsafe, especially down the left hand side."
Longmuir made mention of an incident in which Bulldog Bailey Williams' foot was caught in the turf."I think the Bailey Williams one - we just can't put players out there and risk their safety if the ground's not right," he said.
Longmuir says he will abide by the AFL's decision."If the AFL deem it safe to play, we'll play, and I won't speak another moment of it," Longmuir said.
"The AFL approached us and they're going to look at it, like they should, and they've got the experts and will be guided by them.
"But I thought it was unsafe the other night."
Fremantle (10-5) are just percentage adrift of third spot following a six-match winning run.
But their thrilling 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) win over St Kilda on Sunday came with an injury cost, and in a bizarre manner.
Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe was the sub, but he felt tightness in his calf while warming up at half-time and the Dockers decided against sending him on.
Fyfe was set to feature in his fourth match back after recovering from a hamstring injury, and the Dockers will be hoping his latest setback isn't serious.
"It's a bit of a concern, of course," Longmuir said.
"But we'll see how he pulls up, get it scanned if we need to, and see where it takes us.
"But from what I understand, it's pretty minor and we didn't have to bring him on."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Richmond forward Tom Lynch has been sent straight to the tribunal for his haymaker at the MCG on Sunday
Richmond star Tom Lynch was fined twice and faces up to five weeks on the sidelines for his MCG tantrum after being sent straight to the tribunal. Lynch was reported for striking Adelaide defender Jordan Butts off the ball following a contest between the pair during which he made contact with the head of the Crows defender after a wild swing with his arm. But while the blow glanced off Butts' head, Lynch could still face a hefty ban after being charged with intentional conduct, with severe impact and high contact. The premiership winner also was handed two fines totalling more than $4600, one for engaging in a melee and another for striking. Lynch apologised to his teammates and had some sympathy from his coach, Adem Yze, but he was also told there were few excuses for his behaviour. 'He apologised to the group because he knew he let them down just by letting it spill over,' Yze said. '... he's been such a good player at this footy club for a long time. 'He's got white-line fever, and he wants to win.' 'I was going to address it, a couple of reverse free kicks, which was just pure frustration and showing that he cares,' Yze said. 'For him to talk to the group before I even had a chance to talk to them, and then almost put his heart on his sleeve in front of the group, was exactly why he's been the player that he is.' Lynch said the incident was the result of 'frustration' after being manhandled by Adelaide defenders in the mammoth loss. 'I didn't want to cause harm or anything like that. I was just trying to get free or whatever and frustration came out,' Lynch told Seven. 'Clearly … I gave away too many free kicks and it is not good enough as a leader. I thought we were playing pretty well in that second quarter and I pretty much stopped the momentum.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
AFL to inspect SCG after Freo coach's 'unsafe' claims
The AFL's independent turf consultant is part of a delegation sent to inspect the SCG after Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir added his voice to growing concerns over the venue's playing surface. Sunday's Sydney-Fremantle clash could be moved away from the SCG following uproar over players repeatedly struggling to keep their feet during the Western Bulldogs' win over the Swans on Friday night. The surface has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April, with particular concern over the Paddington end of the ground. Up to 90mm of rain is forecast for Sydney on Tuesday in what will further hamper hopes of having the SCG turf up to scratch. On Monday, the AFL said the independent turf consultant, members of the league's football department and AFL Players Association representatives would inspect the ground this week. The group will assist the ground's curator with ongoing management of the playing surface. Fremantle's finals hopes last year were torpedoed by a series of injuries to key players late in the season, and Longmuir fears his team will be put at elevated risk if they have to play at the SCG on Sunday. "I watched the game on Friday night, and we'll be led by the AFL, but the moment my brain goes to, 'That's unsafe for players', I have a concern," Longmuir said after his side's win over St Kilda on Sunday. "And I went there on Friday night. I thought it was a bit unsafe, especially down the left-hand side." Longmuir made specific mention of an incident in which Bulldogs defender Bailey Williams got his foot caught in the turf. "I think the Bailey Williams one - we just can't put players out there and risk their safety if the ground's not right," he said. Longmuir says he will abide by the AFL's decision. "If the AFL deem it safe to play, we'll play, and I won't speak another moment of it," Longmuir said. "The AFL approached us and they're going to look at it, like they should, and they've got the experts and will be guided by them. "But I thought it was unsafe the other night." Fremantle (10-5) are just percentage adrift of third spot following a six-match winning run. But their thrilling 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) victory over St Kilda on Sunday came with an injury cost, and in a bizarre manner. Nat Fyfe will be sidelined for up to four weeks with a moderate-grade calf strain sustained while he was warming up as the substitute at half-time. The 33-year-old veteran felt tightness at the time and the Dockers decided against sending him on, with the severity of the injury then confirmed on Monday. Fyfe had been set to feature in his fourth match back after recovering from a hamstring injury. The AFL's independent turf consultant is part of a delegation sent to inspect the SCG after Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir added his voice to growing concerns over the venue's playing surface. Sunday's Sydney-Fremantle clash could be moved away from the SCG following uproar over players repeatedly struggling to keep their feet during the Western Bulldogs' win over the Swans on Friday night. The surface has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April, with particular concern over the Paddington end of the ground. Up to 90mm of rain is forecast for Sydney on Tuesday in what will further hamper hopes of having the SCG turf up to scratch. On Monday, the AFL said the independent turf consultant, members of the league's football department and AFL Players Association representatives would inspect the ground this week. The group will assist the ground's curator with ongoing management of the playing surface. Fremantle's finals hopes last year were torpedoed by a series of injuries to key players late in the season, and Longmuir fears his team will be put at elevated risk if they have to play at the SCG on Sunday. "I watched the game on Friday night, and we'll be led by the AFL, but the moment my brain goes to, 'That's unsafe for players', I have a concern," Longmuir said after his side's win over St Kilda on Sunday. "And I went there on Friday night. I thought it was a bit unsafe, especially down the left-hand side." Longmuir made specific mention of an incident in which Bulldogs defender Bailey Williams got his foot caught in the turf. "I think the Bailey Williams one - we just can't put players out there and risk their safety if the ground's not right," he said. Longmuir says he will abide by the AFL's decision. "If the AFL deem it safe to play, we'll play, and I won't speak another moment of it," Longmuir said. "The AFL approached us and they're going to look at it, like they should, and they've got the experts and will be guided by them. "But I thought it was unsafe the other night." Fremantle (10-5) are just percentage adrift of third spot following a six-match winning run. But their thrilling 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) victory over St Kilda on Sunday came with an injury cost, and in a bizarre manner. Nat Fyfe will be sidelined for up to four weeks with a moderate-grade calf strain sustained while he was warming up as the substitute at half-time. The 33-year-old veteran felt tightness at the time and the Dockers decided against sending him on, with the severity of the injury then confirmed on Monday. Fyfe had been set to feature in his fourth match back after recovering from a hamstring injury. The AFL's independent turf consultant is part of a delegation sent to inspect the SCG after Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir added his voice to growing concerns over the venue's playing surface. Sunday's Sydney-Fremantle clash could be moved away from the SCG following uproar over players repeatedly struggling to keep their feet during the Western Bulldogs' win over the Swans on Friday night. The surface has been below its best since a concert at the venue by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in April, with particular concern over the Paddington end of the ground. Up to 90mm of rain is forecast for Sydney on Tuesday in what will further hamper hopes of having the SCG turf up to scratch. On Monday, the AFL said the independent turf consultant, members of the league's football department and AFL Players Association representatives would inspect the ground this week. The group will assist the ground's curator with ongoing management of the playing surface. Fremantle's finals hopes last year were torpedoed by a series of injuries to key players late in the season, and Longmuir fears his team will be put at elevated risk if they have to play at the SCG on Sunday. "I watched the game on Friday night, and we'll be led by the AFL, but the moment my brain goes to, 'That's unsafe for players', I have a concern," Longmuir said after his side's win over St Kilda on Sunday. "And I went there on Friday night. I thought it was a bit unsafe, especially down the left-hand side." Longmuir made specific mention of an incident in which Bulldogs defender Bailey Williams got his foot caught in the turf. "I think the Bailey Williams one - we just can't put players out there and risk their safety if the ground's not right," he said. Longmuir says he will abide by the AFL's decision. "If the AFL deem it safe to play, we'll play, and I won't speak another moment of it," Longmuir said. "The AFL approached us and they're going to look at it, like they should, and they've got the experts and will be guided by them. "But I thought it was unsafe the other night." Fremantle (10-5) are just percentage adrift of third spot following a six-match winning run. But their thrilling 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) victory over St Kilda on Sunday came with an injury cost, and in a bizarre manner. Nat Fyfe will be sidelined for up to four weeks with a moderate-grade calf strain sustained while he was warming up as the substitute at half-time. The 33-year-old veteran felt tightness at the time and the Dockers decided against sending him on, with the severity of the injury then confirmed on Monday. Fyfe had been set to feature in his fourth match back after recovering from a hamstring injury.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
NRL signings: Tallyn Da Silva officially makes the move to Parramatta on long-term deal as the Roosters sign Dolphins flyer
Tallyn Da Silva could play his first game for Parramatta against Penrith next week after the talented hooker was granted an early release from the Wests Tigers to join the blue and golds effective immediately. Da Silva has signed until the end of the 2029 season in a huge coup for the Eels who have locked in an exciting spine headlined by Mitchell Moses and featuring young guns Isaiah Iongi and Joash Papalii. The decision comes on the back of the Tigers putting their faith in veteran Api Koroisau who remains one of the best hookers in the game, with his experience crucial for a club that needs veteran leadership. The 20-year-old was stuck playing on the bench and is good enough to be playing big minutes elsewhere. But it's a great result for Parramatta who have been crying out for a crafty No.9 ever since Reed Mahoney left after the 2022 Grand Final. 'Tallyn is a very talented hooker with great skills and a strong running game which complements our squad nicely,' Eels general manager of football Mark O'Neill said. 'His attributes match the style of football our head coach Jason Ryles is wanting to play, and we look forward to welcoming Tallyn and his family to our club.' Meanwhile, the Roosters have picked up Dolphins winger Junior Tupou until the end of the 2027 season. Tupou joined the Dolphins this year but only played the first two matches before he was demoted to NSW Cup, with Selwyn Cobbo's arrival next year leaving him on the outer. He returns to Sydney effective immediately after spending the first three years of his career at the Tigers. 'Junior is an exciting young player with size, speed and power,' Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said. 'He adds some terrific depth to our outside backs and we're looking forward to seeing his development over the next few years.'
