While the Bulldogs and Swans did their best to put on one of the games of the season at on Friday night, the SCG turf was doing them no favours.
Time and again, players lost their footing in the forward 50 at the Paddington End of the ground, often resulting in turnovers or the play breaking down.
The Sydney surface has looked poor since an Andrea Bocelli concert at the ground on April 3, nearly three months ago, but Friday night's game was a new low when it came to its performance.
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Perhaps surprisingly, there'd been no major activity at the ground since the Swans were thumped by Adelaide in round 12, almost a month ago on May 31.
Dean Cox played a relatively straight bat when asked about the issues with the surface after his side's nine-point loss.
"There’s been some challenges with the surface throughout the year, but I’m looking at other things," Cox said.
"That’s where I spend my time, things I can try and control."
While the Sydney coach wouldn't give too much away, commentators on both networks didn't mince their words.
"Are you allowed to play on this surface? This is as bad as I’ve seen in years," ex-Lions great Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy.
"I remember playing early on the Colonial Stadium surface - and that was a sandpit - but this is shocking.
"This is disgraceful mismanagement by the ground, how they’ve allowed it to get to this. It’s a real shame. It’s been a really good spectacle, the ball movement, when both teams get going."
While Channel 7's Dale Thomas was also scathing.
"The grass in that turf area, it’s as bad as you see. Players trying to lead, both forward and defender, all going to ground," Thomas said.
"Chunks coming out of it everywhere. It’s horrible up that end."
Fortunately, no major injuries were reported out of the match, although Dane Rampe was subbed out with a calf injury in the third quarter and Tom Papley appeared to dislocate a finger before playing out the game.
Coincidentally, the drama around the surface came in the same week clubs were reminded of the guidelines around boots.
"This is a timely reminder regarding the type of football boots which may be worn in AFL matches, specifically the prohibition of metal stops, which pose a serious risk of injury to players," the memo said.
"To prioritise player safety, the AFL strictly enforces regulations that prohibit the use of metal stops or studs on football boots.
"As such, it is the responsibility of all AFL clubs and players to ensure that boots worn during matches fully comply with these rules.
"Under AFL regulations 4.8, clubs may be sanctioned up to $40,000 breach.
With the negative attention brought by the state of the surface, there'll be plenty of pressure on SCG staff to bring the venue up to standard ahead of Sydney's clash with Fremantle next Sunday.