Sydney Swans give the ANZ Stadium playing surface the tick of approval
THE Sydney Swans have given the ANZ Stadium playing surface a tick of approval ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster final against the GWS Giants.
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THE Sydney Swans have given the ANZ Stadium playing surface their tick of approval ahead of Saturday’s final against the GWS Giants.
The Swans acclimatised on Tuesday with an energetic training session at a ground they haven’t visited all season.
ANZ’s surface has been a source of discontent for the Swans and rival clubs in previous seasons, but on Tuesday the Olympic stadium was looking in mint condition.
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Past problems at the venue — which have included unstable turf, pegs left in the grass and exposed bolts behind the goals — now appear long gone.
Swans assistant coach Stuart Dew praised the ANZ surface for last year’s final against North Melbourne as “unbelievable” and anticipates similar conditions for Saturday’s first all-Sydney playoff.
“Yeah, it’s fine, it looks good,” Dew said after the Swans coaching staff ran their eye over the surface.
“We were talking earlier about how last year the surface for the finals was unbelievable.
“Where it’s at today — Tuesday — there’s plenty of time. It’ll be fine. It’s just a good opportunity to train at ANZ. We haven’t played here for a while and there are a few guys that may not have set foot on this grass.
“There are goals at each end but it’s always good to have at least one run out here.”
There was plenty of intensity in the hitout, with coach John Longmire making himself heard around the ground.
GWS will have their one and only run at ANZ today as they look to overcome an 0-3 record at the venue in front of a crowd that’s forecast to exceed 60,000.
Rising Star winner Callum Mills was a notable absence from Swans training but Dew played down the impact of one of their young stars missing an important session leading into his first final.
Originally published as Sydney Swans give the ANZ Stadium playing surface the tick of approval
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