Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy says SCG may be slippery but not unsafe to play

As heavy rain lashed Sydney on Wednesday, the Swans moved training off the SCG to give the surface recovery time after a rival coach called it unsafe.

Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy has defended the state of the SCG surface, rejecting a claim from Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir that it’s “unsafe” ahead of Sunday’s clash at the venue.

The AFL has sent its own turf expert to Sydney, which was hit with a deluge of rain on Wednesday, to look at the surface that has failed to recover from a concert held at the ground in April.

After his players were caught slipping badly last Friday, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the surface would get worse before it got better because of the weather hitting NSW and would be “extremely slippery” on Sunday.

Longmuir, who watched last Friday’s clash from the stands, didn’t like what he saw and the Dockers have been in conversation with the AFL this week before heading to Sydney for a crucial clash with the Swans.

The SCG playing surface has come under scrutiny after players slipped at one particular end of the ground.

It was even reported that Venues NSW, which looks after the SCG, was possibly going to ask the Swans to not wear football boots for training this week to help it recover.

GWS captain Toby Greene also revealed that he wore metal studs during the round-8 derby at the venue because of the “shocking” conditions, risking a $40,000 fine for players caught wearing prohibited studs.

The Swans moved this week’s SCG training session to nearby Tramway Oval and while Grundy conceded the surface wasn’t at its best last weekend, he said it wasn’t unsafe.

“We play on it, well not every week, but train on it most weeks and have been for the last six to eight weeks,” he said on Wednesday.

“It’s our home, so we’re pretty used to it.

“Was it ideal? No, but I’m looking forward to playing there this week.”

Callum Mills, Chad Warner and Dane Rampe warm up at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Grundy said “dewy” conditions contributed to the slipping last Friday.

“Looking back, there’s little moments where people are slipping over and whatnot,” the star said.

“But that’s going to happen when it’s dewy and Friday night footy.

“I thought the contest, generally, was a real spectacle that I thought fans got to enjoy.

“And as a player, I certainly enjoy playing in that (sort of) game.”

Originally published as Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy says SCG may be slippery but not unsafe to play