EXCLUSIVE: James Hird's damning assessment of 'unsafe' SCG as questions raised about 'no plan B'

Essendon legend James Hird has made the bold claim that Sydney may have to forfeit their round 17 clash with Fremantle, if the SCG turf is deemed unplayable and no plan B is created.

Concerns have grown this week after Swans and Bulldogs players in round 16 struggled greatly with the turf. Commentator Jonathan Brown went as far as to say it was the worst playing surface he had seen in a long time.

The issues originate from an Andrea Bocelli concert at the venue in April, with constant rain among the reasons the surface at the Paddington end hasn't recovered.

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Port Adelaide expressed their concerns about the turf in the aftermath through emails that were revealed to Footy Classified on Monday night.

However, the club feels they were paid lip service by the AFL, as the issues have only now garnered spotlight.

Hird has joined those suggesting the surface should be deemed unsafe for play and Sydney must lock in an alternate venue option.

"I think the Swans have gotten quite prickly at the suggestion that the game might have to be moved, and fair enough too," Hird told Nine's Eddie and Jimmy podcast.

"But from what we saw on the weekend, it was unsafe for the players.

"Plan B for me would be to play the game at GWS' (Engie Stadium).

"From what we're being told, there is no plan B.

"To me, it looked unsafe. How they're going to get it from (unsafe) to playing on Saturday will be interesting.

"Technically if they can't play the game on a safe ground you forfeit your points, that's what could happen."

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire can't imagine it will escalate to the extent of forfeiting, hoping the league has alternate plans.

"I think forfeiting is the ultimate (punishment), but when we have a fixture that's uneven you need plan B or C and I would have thought playing at Engie Stadium would be plan X and then plan Z would be to play in Perth, but they would be the realistic options," McGuire said.

McGuire blames the rain in Sydney for the issues with the turf as much as the concert.

"Generally what the MCG does after one of these concerts is they spend up to $1m replacing the turf, they've got state of the art (equipment) and really put the time into it," he said.

"When I was in Sydney, I found it incredible that every week there was a spit of rain, they would cancel Auskick in the eastern suburbs. The SCG seems to have the same trouble. The water doesn't run off. Now, I know the drainage at the SCG is good.

"The two things I learned from Sydney is the traffic is not that bad and the weather is not that good. It doesn't stop raining. I think that's been one of the biggest issues with the SCG at the moment.

"The Andrea Bocelli concert was nearly three months ago."

Wild weather has hit New South Wales this week, with heavy rain and wind lashing the state.

This likely won't help attempts to reinforce the surface ahead of Sunday's game at the SCG.

Western Sydney's Engie Stadium would be available, given the Giants are playing West Coast in Perth.

Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy isn't as concerned about the surface, though the Swans have moved their main training session from the SCG to Tramway Oval.

"We play on it ... well, not every week, but train on it pretty much most weeks, and we have been for the last six to eight weeks," Grundy told reporters on Wednesday.

"It's our home, so we're pretty used to it. Was it ideal on Friday night? No. But like I said, I'm looking forward to playing there this week. Hopefully [moving training] gives the ground an opportunity to freshen up. I know we're looking forward to a really solid contest against the Dockers this week.

"As a player, I've got full faith in the club and the SCG Trust, the AFL – I think they're working really collaboratively at the moment and throughout this week to make sure it's cherry ripe."