Suncorp Stadium is in perfect condition to host Magic Round starting Friday, with grounds manager Malcolm Caddies declaring the surface is in better condition than the last mega weekend of action in Brisbane two years ago.
Brisbane was rocked by heavy thunderstorms on Wednesday evening but Caddies said the ground itself only copped 9.6mm of rainfall and the sunny forecast for the remainder of the week would produce ideal playing conditions for the eight games of NRL action in three days.
“We had storms blow through Brisbane last night but it’s sunny in Brisbane today which will dry us out nicely for tomorrow,” Caddies told NRL.com.
“If it stays like this for three days it is perfect for us. Not too warm, not too cold, a bit of breeze, it just keeps the surface nice and dry.
“Quick and hard hopefully by tomorrow and we will see some great footy.
“I think it’s probably better than it was going into the first Magic Round (in 2019).”
Suncorp Stadium hosted last week’s Super Rugby final between the Reds and Brumbies, but Caddies said the ground itself had not required any repair work in the aftermath of the game.
The final word ahead of festival of footy Magic
Stadium management conducted traction testing at the start of the week, with the levels well into the acceptable range reported back to the NRL football department and passed on to the Rugby League Players’ Association.
“We all know rugby scrums make a bit of damage but there was nothing that needed to be repaired or replaced,” Caddies said.
“We did our testing earlier in the week … and the traction readings were great.
“Obviously the NRL footy ops contacted us and asked us for our test results which they would’ve given to the RLPA and those test results were brilliant.”
Caddies said he will have six staff members working up to 18 hours a day to ensure the ground remains in pristine condition from the opening game between Wests Tigers and the Knights on Friday all the way through to Sunday’s final clash between the Titans and Panthers.
Every evening the grass will be mowed, lines and logos repainted and staff will walk the field at half-time of every game to replace any divots made throughout the action.
“It’s a massive volume (of games) and certainly doesn’t come without pressure but all we can do is prepare the ground as best we can and I think we’ve done that and we’re ready for the weekend,” he said.
“Hopefully by the last game on Sunday we’re sitting in the office going ‘all right we will clean up now and get ready for our game next week'.”
NRL Magic Round Brisbane 1-Day & 3-Day Passes are now on sale with eight massive games across round 10 at Suncorp Stadium this May. With the league's best players all heading to Brisbane, you'd hate to miss it! Tickets at NRL.com/Tickets.
The Magic of league