AFL to examine Big Day Out concert damage at Joondalup ahead of NAB Challenge match
NAB Challenge match could be shifted over concerns about damage to the venue in Perth Big Day Out concert.
Fremantle
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THE NAB Challenge match between Fremantle and West Coast at Joondalup next month could be shifted after the Eagles raised concerns about the playing surface.
The ground is scheduled to stage Perth's Big Day Out concert next Sunday, just 16 days ahead of the first of two Dockers and Eagles summer showdowns.
There is a contingency plan for a switch to another WAFL ground, probably Medibank Stadium in Leederville or to Patersons Stadium.
AFL officials have been told there will be an assessment of Joondalup playing conditions immediately after the day of rock bands, temporary stages and heavy pedestrian traffic from an anticipated 30,000 music fans.
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This year's concert was originally scheduled for Claremont Showgrounds, but was shifted on the back of a succession of disputes between organisers and the Agricultural Society authorities over ticket costs.
Fremantle and West Coast are already scheduled for a Patersons Stadium shootout in a second pre-season derby clash on Thursday March 6, just eight days before the Dockers' premiership season-opener against Collingwood at Etihad.
WAFL grounds staging Big Day Out concerts in the past have taken up to two months to fully recover from the heavy traffic to cater for match conditions and AFL requirements.
One WAFL heavyweight revealed that his club's ground took three months to return to an acceptable condition.
West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett is aware of inspection plans at Joondalup before the ground surface will be cleared to stage the derby.
"We are and were really pleased to play at Joondalup in the opening NAB Cup game," Nisbett said.
"However, with the Big Day Out shifted to the Arena, we are very concerned about the surface recovering in time to be at the standard required for a full-on AFL match between West Coast and Fremantle.
"We understand that the WAFC and the AFL are aware of our concerns and will be monitoring the venue and its recovery very closely.
"Hopefully we will get a decision as early as possible so as to alert the public if there is a change in venue."
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane confirmed that an inspection at Joondalup was planned for immediately after the concert.
The league remains hopeful that the original fixture will go ahead and there is not a late rush to switch the derby to another venue at short notice.
"Our position is that we are aware of the situation with the concert at the ground and we are working with the ground managers around a turf management plan for the ground to ensure it is ready for the NAB Challenge match," Keane said.
Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said that if the derby had to be shifted it should be at Patersons Stadium and not a community ground.
"We will leave it with the WAFC and AFL to ensure the playing surface is suitable for our NAB Cup match against West Coast on 18 February," Rosich said.
"We are confident the right course of action will be taken following the Big Day Out festival to allow the match to take place and ensure the safety of our players and officials.
"In the unlikely event that an alternate venue is required, then Patersons Stadium would be the preferred alternate."
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