Optus Stadium staff are working “tirelessly” to prepare the playing surface to host Fremantle’s clash with Brisbane on Sunday, with chief executive Mike McKenna declaring it will be match-ready.
Approximately 6,000 square metres of turf has been replaced in the lead-up to round one, with the stadium hosting two P!NK concerts and WWE’s Elimination Chamber over the past month.
Concerns were held ahead of the first game held at Optus Stadium last year following an Ed Sheeran concert in March 2023 – less than two weeks prior to the Dockers hosting North Melbourne in round two.
The West Australian understands less turf has been replaced ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Lions, with longer turnaround time-frame of 15 days.
Sections of turf were also replaced after the Coldplay concert in November ahead of the cricket season, which hosted Test matches and Big Bash games without incident.
McKenna told The West Australian that it was “normal practice after events of this scale”.
“Optus Stadium works with the Perth Scorchers, Cricket Australia, the AFL, Dockers and Eagles and other stakeholders, to carefully plan turf management through the Stadium’s event schedules, including Coldplay, Elimination Chamber: Perth and P!NK concerts,” he said in a statement.
“We look forward to welcoming the Fremantle Dockers back to Optus Stadium for their first home game and will provide a match-ready surface for the season.”
Both Fremantle and Brisbane have been given the all-clear to train at Optus Stadium on Saturday, with the Lions set to land in Perth on Friday.