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THE new-look Robertson Oval will undergo one final inspection next month before it is given the green light to host the NAB Cup clash between Greater Western Sydney (GWS) and Brisbane Lions.
AFL ground inspector Andrew Peart travelled from Melbourne yesterday to put the new Robertson Oval surface to the test ahead of the AFL showdown on Saturday, March 2.
Peart used the latest testing technology over several parts of Robertson Oval yesterday and reported the ground was on track to be given the green light.
Wagga Tigers were yesterday given authorisation to hold a training session on the ground next week and it is also hoped the club will hold some trial games to test the turf out before the NAB Cup game.
Peart will compile a seven-page report for the AFL but was happy with how the ground had progressed since his previous visit.
"There has been continual improvement," he said.
Peart is a senior agronomist with the Australian Golf Course Superintendents' Association and is contracted by the AFL to inspect regional facilities prior to NAB Cup games.
Peart explained the purpose is his technology.
"It measures the surface and hardness of the ground," Peart said.
"The hardness of the ground can be an issue for players' recovery and also for head injuries."
Under the testing, Robertson Oval came in the low to normal range for hardness and the variation across the ground was also "pretty low".
Peart said he would conduct one more inspection of the ground in the week leading up to the game.
AFL has also contributed $40,000 for the construction of new coaches boxes at Robertson Oval, in partnership with Wagga City Council and Wagga Tigers, that will be built in the last week of February.