Etihad Stadium CEO Paul Sergeant said that closing the facility's roof for all games, "as sought by" the Australian Football League's TV broadcaster, "will damage the playing surface," according to Liam Mannix of THE AGE. Debate has "resurfaced in the past week over Etihad's roof policy, which sees stadium officials make a decision on whether to close the roof during day games based on the weather." Host broadcaster Channel Seven said in the past week that its "preference was to keep the roof closed during all games, as the sunlight interfered with the broadcast quality." Sergeant said that "such a move would have a bad impact on the surface." Sergeant: "I think what's missed in all of this is, as you can see, this is natural grass. Natural grass needs sunlight, air circulation and rain. It's not multiple choice, it needs all three. ... It has to be factored into the discussion. It's not just about TV." Several interest groups have "called for the stadium's roof to remain closed for all matches, including the powerful TV broadcaster" (THE AGE, 8/6).
