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The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) is to undertake a global search for a suitable replacement for Melbourne Cricket Ground head groundsman and Arenas Operations Manager Tony Gordon whose resignation from the role was announced today.

Gordon, who has been in charge of turf operations at the MCG for the past five years, is to leave the role conclusion of this year's AFL Grand Final.

Promoted after serving three years as Assistant Arenas Manager to Cameron Hodgkins, in his time with responsibility for what is probably Australia's most famous patch of turf, Gordon has ensured that the MCG remains at the forefront of turf management practices in the venue industry.

He oversaw the transformation of the MCG for a number of major events, including the conversion of the arena from a cricket venue to AFL mode in less than four days following the 2015 Cricket World Cup Final. Similar challenges posed by a Guns N' Roses concert in February this year, as well as several winter transitions between football and AFL matches were all managed seamlessly.

Gordon also drove the complete reconstruction of the MCG arena in October 2014, the first of its kind in nearly a decade.

Expressing regret at Gordon’s departure, MCC Chief Executive Stuart Fox stated “we are disappointed to have to say farewell to Tony.

"During his time as arenas operations manager, Tony has been instrumental in maintaining and improving the MCG arena turf quality through innovative practices.

"The quality of the playing surface is of utmost importance for any stadium and he has played a major part in our success in recent years. We thank Tony for his contribution, and we wish him well in his new role."

Gordon joined the MCG after a career at golf courses in Australia and USA, and will return to the sport in a turf management role at The National Golf Club at Cape Schanck. 

Image of Tony Gordon courtesy of the MCC.

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