“It’s appalling”: Whateley calls for explanation over “disgracefully” presented Optus Stadium surface

Optus Stadium’s surface is yet again under fire due to the way it presented in Sunday’s clash between Fremantle and Gold Coast.

The surface has looked terrible to the eye all year and it’s played accordingly with players constantly slipping over resulting in poor-quality games.

On May 10, the AFL conducted an independent turf assessment with the findings showing the AFL rated the surface as “Good” for presentation, surface coverage, surface levels, surface hardness, traction, stability and irrigation with a “Very Good” rating the highest marker.

However, despite the rating, Optus Stadium admitted on Monday night that the surface hasn’t performed to the level they wanted and are committed to working to improve the grass going forward.

But it begs the question - how on earth the AFL deemed this surface to be in good condition back in May when it was blatantly obvious that it wasn’t?

Gerard Whateley was in disbelief when he became aware of the AFL’s rating of the surface, saying the competition has had plenty of time to address this galling issue.

“It’s appalling,” Whateley told SEN.

“I’m a bit shocked by that, the tendency in public life in these positions within sport to tell us it’s raining when the sun is shining is getting a bit too much, if I’m honest.

“Anybody who has had a glimpse of Optus Stadium knows that that surface has presented disgracefully since the start of the season and there needs to be an actual explanation why.

“We’re a long way in, it’s the last week of June, and they have had a long time to fix this up.

“Pretending that it’s fine might be the problem, if you pretend that you don’t have a problem then you never get on with fixing it.

“I think that is reprehensible, they (the AFL) are obviously not flicking on these important games either.

“We’re pretending that it’s all hunky dory - oh come now.”

Optus Stadium hosted a soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan in May and over 12 cricket matches over the summer.

Several state league football games have also taken place on the ground.