A-League Women players have applauded the last-minute decision to relocate Unite Round as the Inner West Council issues an apology over the condition of Leichhardt Oval's playing surface.
The A-Leagues were concerned by Leichhardt's mangled pitch in the November 16 clash between Sydney FC and Western Sydney and have since made a mad dash to move all six Unite Round games across town to Jubilee Oval this weekend.
Sydney forward Shea Connors played in the 1-0 defeat of the Wanderers and found the decision to move Unite Round "absolutely necessary" given the condition of the playing surface.
"It apparently did get approved before, but it wasn't great for playing," Connors said at the launch of Unite Round on Thursday.
"The surface was very wobbly. I think some of it was spray-painted dirt. That's obviously not ideal, it's not something that you want to see when you come out to the pitch on game day.
"(Moving the games) is a risk worth taking, considering the product of football was not great. I think we deserve better, to play on a field that actually has grass and not dirt."
To combat any aftershocks from the 11th-hour decision, the A-Leagues have waived the price on all tickets to ALW games for the second edition of Unite Round this weekend.
Central Coast Mariners recruit Taylor Ray played regularly at Leichhardt Oval in seven seasons with Sydney FC, but said the game's new showpiece event needed a top-tier facility.
"To be honest, I was so happy," she said of the decision to move games to Kogarah.
"Leichhardt's always been a bit of a home to me personally as well, but the quality of the game needs to stay at the top level to promote our game as well."
The government body in charge of Leichhardt Oval's maintenance, Inner West Council, blamed inclement weather and overuse for the pitch's poor quality.
Aside from hosting Sydney FC's fixtures, Leichhardt Oval is also used for Wests Tigers NRL and NRLW games and rugby union matches of varying levels.
"Inner West Council is sorry for the inconvenience and disruption this has caused the A-League’s Women’s marquee Unite Round," a spokesperson said in a statement to AAP.
"Leichhardt Oval has hosted over 120 sporting fixtures this year.
"Recent weather conditions have made it significantly challenging for our outdoor staff to get the pitch match-ready for this weekend.
"Colder-than-average recent temperatures and increased rainfall have hindered the growth of our summer turf species, impacting its establishment and overall condition."
Inner West Council hoped Sydney FC would continue to use the soon-to-be-refurbished Leichhardt Oval despite recent threats from chief executive Mark Aubrey to relocate future games from it.
Sydney FC are next due to play at the stadium on December 15.
"Inner West Council has worked very hard to make Leichhardt Oval a hub for women’s sport," Inner West Council's statement read.
"The upcoming $40 million renovation of Leichhardt Oval is predicated on making this ground an ongoing centre for women’s sport, including a permanent home ground for Sydney FC women’s team."
