GEELONG coach Chris Scott says there was an \u201cissue\u201d with the MCG surface that potentially contributed to two injuries to key Cats on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Scott\u2019s reigning premiers lost their opening clash of 2023 as Collingwood put on a fourth-quarter blitz to run out convincing 22-point winners.<\/p>\n
Geelong lost Tom Stewart in the first quarter while Sam De Koning also limped off before half-time. While the latter returned to the field, the defensive duo both twisted their knees in innocuous, non-contact injuries.<\/p>\n
The MCC had promised there would be no issues with the surface despite replacing 10,000 square metres of turf in the last fortnight after two Ed Sheeran concerts in early March.<\/p>\n
But Scott suggested otherwise in his post-match press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s an interesting discussion for others to have. It\u2019s distasteful when the coach of the losing team talks about the surface, but it\u2019s worthy of discussion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome bits that are really firm and you can keep your feet, and other bits that are really soft and you can\u2019t keep your feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess the point that is raised, it\u2019s not a criticism, it\u2019s not my area, but it\u2019s been a long time since the grand final. It\u2019s the biggest game in the land and it\u2019s the best ground in the world in my view.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo to compromise the surface is a strange decision to make voluntarily. If stuff happens and the weather is beyond your control, fair enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it was an own goal, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Scott notes, the contrast between the turf that has been replaced on the \u2018G and the previous surface is clear.<\/p>\n
Scott couldn\u2019t put a timeframe on Stewart\u2019s injury but suggested the four-time All-Australian was highly unlikely to play in round two against Carlton.<\/p>\n
Collingwood also suffered a number of injury blows, headlined by Jeremy Howe requiring a stretcher off the field after a sickening collision with Tyson Stengle.<\/p>\n
It’s understood Howe has a fractured forearm.<\/p>\n
MCC spokesperson Stuart Fox told SEN’s Sportsday prior to the season opener that fans would see a \u201cvery normal MCG\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been fascinated with the commentary on it. We didn\u2019t have any doubts but everyone else did,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen media commentators walk into the stadium this week and they\u2019ve been shocked because there is no sight of their being any damage or there being a concert here.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the public, when they come in tonight and turn their TVs on they\u2019ll be shocked, it looks like a very normal MCG tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n