Western Sydney Wanderers and Leeds United can expect an ‘amazing, state of the art’ pitch — and an atmosphere to match it — at Wanderland, according to a Bankwest Stadium groundskeeper.
Assistant curator Joel Toogood explained that the technology involved in creating the ideal playing surface is as brand new as Bankwest Stadium itself.
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The top-of-the-range equipment has left Wanderers’ new home in Western Sydney in an dream condition to host English Championship giants Leeds on Saturday 21 July.
Markus Babbel’s side will open their 2019/20 pre-season campaign hoping to christen the hallowed turf in style, and Joel believes the Red and Black faithful in attendance will be in for a treat.
“I think the atmosphere will be awesome. Everyone is close to the venue, one sideline is within five metres of the pitch,” Joel said.
“You feel everything, you can hear every emotion of the game. I think it’s going to be an awesome atmosphere.”
When it comes to Joel’s specialist area, every blade of grass will be prepared for the spectacle that Wanderers’ fan have been waiting years for.
Joel revealed his team will mow the pitch to 23 millimetres in length ahead of Saturday’s game to keep the field in perfect condition for kick-off.
“The way it’s built, the hybrid system on it, it’s amazing,” Joel said.
“It’s been great to work with and it’s easy to deal with.
“The NRL like it to be a little longer, a little more fluffier for tacking and falling on the ground.
“We’ll give the pitch a mow just to smooth it out a bit for more playability and ball roll.“
