Docklands turf - What changed?

[Dirty Bird]

I'm just watching the under 18s championships right now on Fox Sports, and remembered a few years ago they had to move this all down to Skilled Stadium due to how poor the Etihad turf was.

What changed?
What did the AFL/Docklands do differently?

Because these days there's not as much talk (if any) as to why players are falling over all over the place, and why all the turf is being dug up.

 

[mehow2g]

There was Fev to talk about

 

[thecatattack]

No concerts on the off-season would help.

 

[moistie]

Docklands didn't stage a series of AC/DC concerts on the oval a couple of weeks prior to the season commencing this year.

 

[stui magpie]

Collo hired some stoners to teach him how to grow grass indoors.

 

[Briggzy]

I was just thinking this the other day. I remember when it was referred to as more of a sandpit rather than a grass field. Whatever they've done, the surface has improved remarkably.

 

[Briggzy]

Collo hired some stoners to teach him how to grow grass indoors.

Gold

 

[seanoff]

they bought these

 

[TradeDraft]

It was last year

 

[vapours]

they bought these

They've been using those lights for a couple of years, it was the lack of concerts over the summer which helped afaik.

 

[Donakebab]

they bought these

Had them since day dot.

 

[Gazza_11]

Last concerts were U2 and Bon Jovi and November, so that probably helped. Now that they're pumping in even more money with the cricket Big Bash over summer and will require more sports performance enhanced gardening hopefully it keeps up (Y)

 

[arkie]

I think they are keeping the roof opened more often these days too. The ground is in superb condition though when I've been there at all the WB Etihad games.

 

[master bate]

Surface gets better - Etihad teams overall get worse. Conspiracy?

 

[Air_Chester]

Docklands had surface issues dating back to when they opened in 2000, the concerts and whatnot were just a re-surfacing of an issue that hadn't gotten as much media coverage for a while.

Don't know what was done differently, though.

 

[Winterstick]

My daughter played on it last year then this year again, one of the first things she said this year was, "dad the ground was a lot better this year". I noticed it too, last year the soil was very sandy and loose and the grass was sparse, this year a lot more grass almost as good as our local ground

 

[AlibiMonday]

My daughter played on it last year then this year again, one of the first things she said this year was, "dad the ground was a lot better this year". I noticed it too, last year the soil was very sandy and loose and the grass was sparse, this year a lot more grass almost as good as our local ground

Thanks Mr Thomas. Hopefully you can convince Daisy to also stick with the Pies and sign up soon.

 

[le dominateur]

The soccer divers and bum sniffers were cutting it up.

 

[Hawthorn United]

Matthew Lloyds retirement. No longer pulling it out before every shot.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Matthew Lloyds retirement. No longer pulling it out before every shot.

Pay that.

 

[Byron2008]

Matthew Lloyds retirement. No longer pulling it out before every shot.

 

[Dont be a lemon]

I think they are keeping the roof opened more often these days too.

Isn't it open all the time outside of match times?

 

[Hornet]

Advancements in turf technology, the use of UV growing lights for the past 3-4 years and limiting concerts especially during the winter months have done wonders for the turf quality.

This summer will be interesting though. Melbourne Victory will play the last of their contracted 5 games by December 10, allowing for a drop in cricket pitch to be installed for the new 20/20 team based at the venue.

 

[mick06]

Thanks Mr Thomas. Hopefully you can convince Daisy to also stick with the Pies and sign up soon.

I must say, thats pretty funny

 

[inyourfacedunk]

Not sure if you noticed, but it's actually raining a lot more these days.
Last year was mostly drought.