TODD Goldstein has joined in the chorus of disapproval for Saturday's experiment to keep Etihad Stadium's roof half-open, saying he could barely see the ball at times during North Melbourne's win over Richmond.
The Roos-Tigers NAB Challenge clash kicked off at 1.10pm on a sunny Melbourne afternoon, with the AFL also set to trial a half-open roof at the later 4.10pm timeslot in Sunday's Carlton-Geelong match.
The AFL announced the experiment on Wednesday, saying it would position Etihad's western roof panel differently to try to reduce sun glare on the ground during play.
After Saturday's game, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and North counterpart Brad Scott were both adamant the Etihad roof should be shut during day games so players didn't lose the ball in the sun.
Goldstein backed that call when he spoke at North's Family Day on Sunday.
"In the second quarter until 'Ziebs' (Jack Ziebell) got knocked out I could barely see the ball going for the centre bounces," Goldstein said at Arden Street.
"My theory has always been that if we've got a roof, why don't we use it?
"We live in Melbourne, we all know what the weather is like. You get four seasons in a day, so I don't know why if we've got a roof we don't just keep it shut.
"I didn't think the (half-open roof) experiment worked at all.
"It's funny when you go to the tennis and they're all worried about the glare for the players, but we're all worried about the glare for the supporters.
"I know that you obviously don't want sun in your eyes sitting in the stands, but you want to see a good quality game and I think when blokes are worried about the sun (and) you've got a roof, just shut it."
An AFL spokesman said on Sunday that the League would this week review feedback on the roof experiment from both the North-Richmond and Carlton-Geelong games.
Etihad Stadium communications manager Bill Lane told AFL.com.au the venue had been approached by the AFL to partially close the roof for this weekend's two day games and had agreed to the request.
An AFL fan survey last year found 60 per cent of supporters wanted the Etihad roof open when the weather was fine.
Etihad Stadium's open roof has come under fire in recent days. Picture: AFL Media
