WEST Coast and Fremantle both trained on Domain Stadium on Wednesday and the stadium's general manager Gavin Taylor says there are no fears over the quality of the surface ahead of Sunday's NAB Challenge match.

 

There were genuine concerns for the state of the surface following a One Direction concert that was held at the venue on February 20. 

 

The stage was constructed on a large space inside the 50m arc at the city end of the ground and patrons sat and stood on the rest of the oval during the concert.

 

Eagles coach Adam Simpson raised the alarm about the surface a fortnight ago questioning whether it would be ready for this weekend's clash between the Eagles and Dockers.

 

West Coast's training base is housed at Domain Stadium however the club was forced to train away from the venue for three weeks.

 

The Eagles were due back on March 9 but had to delay their return further to allow the grass more time to recover.

 

Speaking to AFL.com.au on Wednesday, Taylor said the surface would be absolutely fine for Sunday's match.

 

"We're confident of the structure and the safety of the playing surface," Taylor said.

 

"It's continuing to improve every day. It's going to be looking great for the start of the season.

 

"We've had independent testing undertaken on the surface and that's met all of the AFL standards."

 

Both Fremantle and West Coast held closed training sessions on Wednesday.

 

Taylor said the process to return the playing surface to a fit state following the concert did not take longer than expected.

 

"We took a cautious approach to how we've allowed the clubs to come back on," Taylor said.

 

"The importance for the clubs is to make sure that player safety is absolutely critical for them."

 

Taylor said the stadium's management would continue to seek opportunities to host concerts and other events in the future and that it would also work closely with the Eagles to ensure any events held at the venue do not affect their tenancy too much.  

 

West Coast is set to move to a new purpose-built training and administration facility at Lathlain Park ahead of the 2018 season when AFL football will be played at the new Perth Stadium that is currently under construction at Burswood.