Ikon Park lighting again in focus as talk rages over dimmed venue for JLT Series clash

CARLTON and St Kilda officials had no issue with the “dim” lighting at Ikon Park during their JLT Series clash at Ikon Park despite concerns over visibility.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — FEBRUARY 28: Dale Thomas of the Blues (L) and Jimmy Webster of the Saints wrestle in a melee after Jack Sinclair of the Saints was hit late by Kade Simpson of the Blues during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the St Kilda Saints at Ikon Park on February 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

CARLTON and St Kilda have ticked off the lighting at Ikon Park despite concerns again being raised over its suitability to host elite-level football at night.

Wednesday night’s JLT Series clash between Carlton and St Kilda was completed but not before AFL officials conducted tests on different parts of the surface as concerns grew over visibility at the dimmed venue.

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Despite new lights installed at Ikon Park this week it was still extremely hard to see players in the second half, the lighting seemingly not at usual AFL standard.

However despite players, commentators and viewers airing their concerns, the coaches of both teams played down ther issue after the match.

AFL officials seemed to be conducting lighting tests at half time.

Dale Thomas joked at half time of the lights that “it’s pretty dim, it’s park footy at its finest”.

Carlton assistant David Teague, who coached the Blues last night, was diplomatic about the lights, with the Blues aware they must improve them for more regular night football.

Jed Lamb shines in the Ikon Park lights. Pic: AAP

“Was it like the MCG? Probably not, but both teams were playing under it,” Teague said.

“It didn’t phase us, as a coaching group we didn’t spend too much time on that one.

“It wasn’t too bad from where I was.”

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said he had no problems with the lights.

“It was hard to see from where we were but that doesn’t matter from our perspective,” Richardson said.

“As long as the conditions are safe, and they certainly were tonight, we were fine with it.”

Earlier this month Brisbane Lions’ AFLW coach Craig Starcevich slammed the venue’s lighting.

“No (it wasn’t well-lit enough). Nowhere near it,” Starcevich said after the match.

“Terrible, really, at ground level. We’re up in the box looking across the ground and we’re all a bit old, so we’re trying to see what we’re looking for, but not good enough, I don’t think.”

The Ikon Park lighting came under after the Blues’ AFLW match with the Brisbane Lions earlier this month. Pic: AAP

The Australian Standard — Sports Lighting dictates that professional competitions will be played under illuminance of 500 lux. Match practice can be completed under 200 lux.

It is unknown what level league officials recorded when they took readings with a light meter at the main break, but Carlton’s Dale Thomas made a tongue-in-cheek remark when interviewed as players left Ikon Park.

“It’s pretty dim, isn’t it? It’s park footy at its finest,” he said.

AFL & AFLPA talk about professionalism and standards at every opportunity. Yet the Blues-Saints play under suburban-standard lighting. Same with the AFLW. When Sandy Roberts is critical, it must be an issue.

— Mark Robinson (@Robbo_heraldsun) February 28, 2018

So endeth the Carlton tweetstorm. Too dark to see anything any more pic.twitter.com/vpzyGWOJ3T

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) February 28, 2018

"It's pretty dim, isn't it? It's park footy at its finest," Daisy Thomas said, couple of weeks after Craig Starcevich said lights were "nowhere near it". And this is with additions! https://t.co/tCWbqm0eA0

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun) February 28, 2018

Why are there night games at Princes Park in the first place?
Surely a good old fashioned 2:10 Saturday Arvo game at that venue would be a perfect fit for the stadium. #JLTSeries

— 🏆Dylan Leach 🐯 (@leachitup) February 28, 2018

There's concern about the lighting at Ikon Park...in fact there are light tests going on at half time.

These are the same conditions the girls have been playing in for AFLW, no?#JLTSeries #AFLW

— Sarah Olle (@sarahjolle) February 28, 2018

xxx