The patch of artificial turf at Etihad Stadium blamed for an ankle injury to Geelong forward Daniel Menzel in a game last year is set to go as the AFL acts on concerns from its players' union.

While synthetic turf will not disappear entirely from the maligned venue, the league has used its recently-acquired power at the ground to help assuage fears that the surface is dangerous for players.

Issues with the surface have been a recurring theme since Etihad Stadium opened in 2000. Credit:Getty Images

Menzel hurt himself in the Cats' victory over North Melbourne in round 12 after sliding into the stadium's fence following a second-quarter marking contest in one of the ground's pockets. While Menzel played out the game and ultimately didn't miss any subsequent matches because of the injury, he claimed the artificial turf at the perimeter of the oval had contributed to the injury. Menzel – who had already endured four knee reconstructions – raised his concerns with the AFL Players' Association, leading to an AFL investigation. Jimmy Bartel – then a teammate of Menzel's – likened the astroturf to "concrete" in a radio appearance on SEN.

While the AFL said at the time that the ground had passed independent quality tests, it has decided to act on the matter after purchasing the stadium in November, even though there remain mixed opinions as to whether the turf is dangerous.