The SCG playing surface has been branded a "disgrace" and "dangerous" by A-League officials after the Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory match on Saturday night, raising fears the surface won't be up to scratch for the Swans AFL clash on Thursday night against the Melbourne Demons.
Exasperating matters, Melbourne Victory player Terry Antonis, who collapsed after tripping over a raised edge of turf, and had to be carried from the field, suffered a suspected serious knee injury.
Kevin Muscat of Melbourne Victory was scathing of the condition of the pitch.
"To ask players to come to work and work under those conditions is unacceptable," he said.
"There might be a serious injury as a result from it. For players to go out on to that – whatever it's called – is a disgrace.
"That surface was not conducive to a ball rolling on it. First and foremost, it was dangerous."
Former Australian International goalkeeper Mark Bosnich was equally scathing, going as far as suggesting that A-League games should be moved away from the venue.
"We're talking about the clubs' greatest assets, and that's their players", Bosnich said.
"If I was a player in that situation, I'd be looking at the pitch saying 'well, is this hill worth dying for'."
Despite the concerns, the AFL is confident the ground will be ready in time for the Swans v Demons clash Round 4 clash on Thursday night.
The SCG trust has previously resisted calls to introduce a drop-in pitch, and were one of the key factors behind the redevelopment of Allianz Stadium and the SCG precinct.
"The Sydney Swans experience grounds like the Adelaide Oval and the MCG who manage elite sporting surfaces with a drop-in wicket, so we would support this being considered," Swans chief executive officer Tom Harley said in a statement issued by the club.
"As a key tenant of the SCG, we want the ground to be showcased in the best possible light on the world stage and, as such, we will continue working closely with the SCG Trust (which manages the stadium)."
It was the beginning of March when emergency work had to be done on the SCG field, when a Super Rugby clash between the Waratahs and the Reds tore up the turf so badly, three thousand square metres had to be re-laid.
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