'Borderline not safe': Marvel Stadium surface slammed

Two games into the 2019 AFL season, the quality of the playing surface at Marvel Stadium has become a significant talking point in footy circles.

Noticeable divots were left in the ground after Saturday night’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and Sydney.

Many holes, which had been filled in overnight, could still be seen during Sunday’s matchup between St Kilda and the Gold Coast Suns.

Bulldogs defender Matt Suckling copped a minor ankle injury as a result of the shifting turf.

“It’s obviously not a nice feeling when the ground slips but the ground was in pretty good nick and hopefully it is just a one off,” Suckling told The Age.

“The ground gave way and I rolled my ankle but I managed to play the game out so it’s probably only something I will have to manage early in the week.”

Footy community chimes in

Former Hawks player Campbell Brown was among many to have their say on Marvel Stadium online.

Brown described the surface as “borderline not safe to play on”.

“Even Thor would injure himself on this Marvel Stadium surface. It is atrocious and border line not safe to play on,” he wrote on Twitter.

Geelong great and Fox Footy commentator Cam Mooney linked the turf to a knee knock suffered by David Swallow on Sunday.

“This ground out here along this wing is absolutely atrocious,” he said.

“You can see where Swallow hurt his right knee, it was probably a little bit of that turf switching under him there.

“There’s a lot of turf being thrown around. It’s not great.”

Jack Steven was one of several players to slip on the sandy turf.

Towering defender Sam Collins sent dirt flying after one sliding effort, creating a divot so severe the emergency umpire jumped from the bench to replace the turf.

It comes as the surface at the SCG has been under immense scrutiny after it appeared to shift during rugby matches.

WITH AAP