Geelong veteran Mitch Duncan has joined the chorus of disapproval over the state of the GMHBA Stadium surface during Saturday night’s loss to the Western Bulldogs.
The ground condition was as heavy as has been seen at the venue in recent years, especially on the half-forward flank in front of the Brownlow Stand.
It is likely to force Geelong to alternative training venues for this week at least, with the oval at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus likely to host the club’s main session.
This (Monday) morning’s recovery session was shifted to Geelong Cricket Ground.
“It was probably the worst I’ve ever played on at an AFL game, which I think is a little bit disappointing,” Duncan said.
“It has been a bit wet, and maybe it didn’t dry out as well; maybe the sun position and everything – it’s over my paygrade.
“Hopefully, we can get it back to nice and at AFL standard.
“I don’t think it was at AFL standard, really.”
Duncan, who had four staples inserted into a cut above his eye after the match from an incident that forced him from the field in the first quarter of the 47-point defeat, conceded the Bulldogs outplayed Geelong.
“As Scotty (coach Chris Scott) mentioned, it was probably a little bit uncharacteristic from us, albeit they played really well,” he said,
“We just couldn’t get the game on our terms.
“(There is) plenty to work on, which is the exciting part.
“We get to hone our craft through the week and go again against North Melbourne in Tassie, so looking forward to that.”
Duncan, who made his 290th appearance in the Hoops on Saturday night, confirmed he had parked discussion about playing on in 2025 until the end of the season.
Depending on how many games the 33-year-old plays in the remainder of the home-and-away season and how far Geelong progresses in the finals should it feature in September, he could be as close as one game away from becoming the seventh Cat to play 300 games.
“I’m just focusing on this year at the minute and finishing the year strongly as a team and as an individual,” Duncan said.
“That will take care of itself come later in the year.”
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