Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir puts pressure on AFL over ‘unsafe' SCG turf ahead of Sydney Swans clash
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.
'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.'
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