A SAFER alternative to the synthetic turf surrounding AFL grounds needs to be found quickly, according to Geelong veteran Jimmy Bartel.

Bartel watched teammate Daniel Menzel injure his ankle after sliding across the artificial surface and crashing into the fence on Saturday night when the Cats defeated North Melbourne.

ACCESS ALL AREAS: Etihad turf is 'dangerous'

Having just returned from four knee reconstructions, Menzel was upset after the game and spoke to the AFL Players' Association and the League itself about the issue.

On Thursday, the AFLPA said it had contacted players from all clubs since the Menzel injury.

They had expressed concerns over the proximity of the synthetic turf to the playing surface, which made it more difficult to slow down and/or change direction.

"The players also feel that the synthetic turf is harder and more abrasive than natural turf, leading to more painful injuries when landing or sliding," the statement said. 

"We have raised these concerns with the AFL and requested that this matter be reviewed in a timely manner, with a view to finding a better solution."

Bartel told SEN that players were of the view that they should not just accept the risk. 

"I think we can find a better alternative that has a little bit more give in it than that style of AstroTurf. It is like concrete," he said.

"We are of the opinion that you shouldn't just accept it as it is." 

Most AFL grounds have synthetic turf surrounding the boundary but Bartel said there was no point waiting for an injury to happen before acting.

"It seems to be an issue whenever someone gets hurt and we don't want that to be the case, just waiting for someone to get hurt to fix the problems," Bartel said.

AFL football operations boss Mark Evans said a thorough investigation would take place after Menzel's injury.

Menzel isn't the first player to be caught up in drama surrounding the fake grass.

Brisbane Lions forward Michael Close required a knee reconstruction and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2015 season after sliding outside the boundary in April.

Close and his lawyers are reportedly seeking compensation from the AFL for the injury, after an AFLPA expert deemed the artificial surface could have contributed to the incident.

Bartel believes a better option must be available.

"The NFL teams have indoor facilities with special AstroTurf.

"We're not asking for a whole field, just a small amount to replace the pretty hard stuff around the edges of Etihad and other stadiums in Australia."