After ripping into Gabba ground staff over the women's grand final bungle, the Brisbane Lions are full of praise for their home surface despite torrential rain ahead of Saturday's AFL clash with Essendon.
Brisbane savoured their first run on the Gabba this year on Friday after it was deemed "unsafe" for last weekend's AFLW grand final, earning the Lions' ire.
CEO Greg Swann slammed ground staff with the Lions-Adelaide AFLW decider relocated to the Gold Coast to protect turf laid to repair damage from two Adele concerts and prepare for November's first Ashes cricket Test.
The Lions only received the official green light to host the AFL second round clash on Monday.
But coach Chris Fagan could not speak highly enough of stadium staff after inspecting the surface at Friday training, especially after heavy showers thrashed the ground on Thursday in Cyclone Debbie's aftermath.
"The ground is fantastic," he said.
"It's a credit to the groundsman that they have been able to present the ground in that manner given the amount of weather we have had in the last couple of days."
Midfielder Jake Barrett on Friday had to ask for directions to get to the training ground, indicating how little of the Gabba the Lions had seen this pre-season.
But in contrast to Swann, Fagan could understand why the Lions had limited Gabba access.
"That's the first time since I was appointed back in October that I have been able to actually stand on the Gabba," he said.
"(But) we understand the issues they had after the Adele concerts.
"It is more important that the ground is in good nick for tomorrow night and I think from this point onwards we are able to train on it so that is exciting too."
Essendon coach John Worsfold had no concerns about the surface despite the AFLW controversy.
"I'm expecting pretty good conditions. I'm really confident it's going to drain today and it'll be in great nick," he said.
Both teams are riding high from upset first round wins.
But after spending last year battling it out for the wooden spoon, neither are getting ahead of themselves.
"We know Essendon is a formidable opponent," Fagan said.
Worsfold added: "Our focus is playing the type of footy we've developed together and building on that. We know we've got a long way to go."
Essendon made just one change, bringing in Ben Howlett for the injured Josh Green to mark his first AFL game in 18 months.
The Bombers welcome back six players who served 12-month suspensions in their emotional first round boilover win against Hawthorn.
Brisbane are looking to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2010.
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