Overview

• Independent, AFL and in-house inspections all cleared the turf’s Paddington End for play, SCG curator Adam Lewis confirmed.
• Venue staff used grow lights and revised the Swans’ training schedule to accelerate recovery after April’s Bocelli concert and persistent winter dew weakened the grass.
• No relocation is planned and the Sydney Cricket Ground is scheduled to host Sunday’s Sydney–Fremantle clash as planned.
• Captain’s runs on Saturday will give both teams a final on-field opportunity to assess and provide feedback on the repaired area.
• Lewis defended his team against “ill-informed” criticism even as Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir warned the surface felt unsafe and AFL chief Andrew Dillon admitted it had fallen short of expected standards.