Isnt Telstra The NRL's Premier Ground
Manly fury at pitch holes
By Dean Ritchie
April 24, 2006
MANLY last night launched an extraordinary attack on the controversial Telstra Stadium playing surface, voicing fears that a player could break a leg on it.
And its stance was supported by leading orthopaedic surgeon Merv Cross.
The Sea Eagles belted the Bulldogs 40-14 in yesterday's game but most of the post-match discussions centred on the ground surface.
Cross, father of Manly chairman Joe, inspected the troubled spots at full-time.
"There are potholes in the surface - it would be easy to do an ankle," Cross told The Daily Telegraph.
"The ground surface has got to be looked after. The players are worth a lot of money. It's not good enough."
Manly's board was made aware of the drama although the Sea Eagles were unsure whether they would lodge an official complaint with the NRL.
"A few of the boys are complaining of sore knees," said Manly skipper Ben Kennedy.
But the drama really erupted after Manly football manager Peter Peters had spoken with his players.
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"This game is tough enough without playing around divots - it's not a golf course," Peters said.
"I would be negligent in my duty if I didn't report this to my board. Someone will break a leg."
Telstra Stadium spokesman Kyle Patterson hit back at the allegations.
"Players [like Kennedy] can have an opinion but today the pitch played the best it has all year," Patterson said.
"It is in good nick."
The Daily Telegraph
Manly fury at pitch holes
By Dean Ritchie
April 24, 2006
MANLY last night launched an extraordinary attack on the controversial Telstra Stadium playing surface, voicing fears that a player could break a leg on it.
And its stance was supported by leading orthopaedic surgeon Merv Cross.
The Sea Eagles belted the Bulldogs 40-14 in yesterday's game but most of the post-match discussions centred on the ground surface.
Cross, father of Manly chairman Joe, inspected the troubled spots at full-time.
"There are potholes in the surface - it would be easy to do an ankle," Cross told The Daily Telegraph.
"The ground surface has got to be looked after. The players are worth a lot of money. It's not good enough."
Manly's board was made aware of the drama although the Sea Eagles were unsure whether they would lodge an official complaint with the NRL.
"A few of the boys are complaining of sore knees," said Manly skipper Ben Kennedy.
But the drama really erupted after Manly football manager Peter Peters had spoken with his players.
Advertisement:
"This game is tough enough without playing around divots - it's not a golf course," Peters said.
"I would be negligent in my duty if I didn't report this to my board. Someone will break a leg."
Telstra Stadium spokesman Kyle Patterson hit back at the allegations.
"Players [like Kennedy] can have an opinion but today the pitch played the best it has all year," Patterson said.
"It is in good nick."
The Daily Telegraph
