Overview
- Collingwood was allowed to complete a main training session on Marvel Stadium’s playing surface in the days before the Bulldogs‑Collingwood wildcard final, a decision reported on Thursday.
- Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said he found the approval 'hilarious' and expressed frustration that tenant clubs have long struggled to gain similar access.
- Marvel Stadium is normally managed under AFL arrangements that restrict full-team training on the turf to protect it for matches, and tenant clubs such as the Bulldogs and St Kilda say past requests have been refused.
- Bulldogs officials noted they did not seek Marvel access this week, so they were not explicitly denied for this particular session, and the wildcard will be played at the MCG because it holds a larger crowd despite the Bulldogs finishing above Collingwood on the ladder.
- The episode has prompted media and coaching commentary that the granted session could create an unusual preparation advantage and is likely to increase scrutiny of the AFL/Marvel training-access policies before finals.