- Surface at key venue for AFLW matches criticised
The AFLW has been criticised for alleged unsafe conditions at Collingwood’s Victoria Park, with players concerned about several issues including dog faeces on the playing surface.
A safety issue with the turf was raised at the venue on Saturday ahead of the AFLW match between Collingwood and Sydney, when pieces of mesh were allegedly spotted sticking out of the goal square, according to a report by News Corp.
Club officials were concerned that players could injure themselves and the matter was later rectified.
The issue comes after Sydney Swans players were forced to train while dog walkers used the ground on Friday, with line-markers reportedly painting logos on top of dog faeces.
Dogs are allowed to run on the oval when it is not being used for sports activities.
GWS have also raised concerns over the safety of the pitch, where sand has been painted green to look like grass.
The AFLW has been blasted over conditions at Victoria Park for Saturday’s match between the Magpies and Swans (pictured, Collingwood star Kalinda Howarth)
Dogs are allowed on the Victoria Park playing surface (pictured) when it is not being used for sport – leading to faeces reportedly being left on the ground for the match
Swans players were forced to train with dog walkers at the ground on Friday (pictured, Tanya Kennedy of the Swans is tackled during Saturday’s match)
Several AFLW players have spoken out about the change rooms at the ground, which appear substandard for professional athletes.
Collingwood has made a significant investment to upgrade the surface of Victoria Park in the coming months.
In 2022, the AFLW faced complaints from players about the facilities at Sydney’s Henson Park, which has since had a major upgrade.
At the time, complaints were made about cockroaches in the changerooms and atrocious facilities.
‘You can’t put young women, let alone elite athletes, in places like that — it was just terrible,’ one AFLW club insider said.
Another described the facilities as ‘awful’.
