CODE Sports Premier Cricket player survey results: The art of the perfect lunch
Come for the cricket but stay for the lunch. While the action is hot on the pitch there is also a fight for the best food off it. Which clubs do it best when it comes to Premier Cricket lunches? We found out.
They come for the cricket but stay for the lunch.
The spread at Dandenong’s Shepley Oval is famous in Premier Cricket for not just its quality, but also the variety on offer.
“The rolls are a staple. Then we either mix it up with some pasta or there’s generally another side dish,” Dandenong all-rounder James Nanopoulos said.
“Then we have the cakes, the yoghurts, all that kind. Bit of fruit thrown in there as well.”
Dandenong was a clear winner of the ‘best lunch/tea food offering’ in CODE Sports’ Premier Cricket survey with 38 per cent of the vote.
Carlton (21 per cent) and Melbourne (15 per cent) were the only other clubs with more than 10 per cent of votes.
Dandenong secretary Liz Williamson has spearheaded the club’s renowned afternoon teas for more than a decade.
The Panthers had been ordering sandwiches from a milk bar to feed players before Williamson stepped up to put on a feast worthy of some of the state’s best cricketers.
“The boys deserve it. They play hard cricket,’’ she once said.
“We pride ourselves on giving them the best.’’
Carlton captain Evan Gulbis said Williamson was “as good as they get. She’s fantastic. Their stuff is awesome.”
Nanopoulos simply described Williamson as “a star”.
Only about half of Premier Cricket’s clubs have chosen to reintroduce afternoon teas since they were temporarily scrapped during Covid.
“We used to put on a fair (spread). Obviously rolls and that for lunch but then for tea there would be scones with cream and cupcakes and that,” Ringwood’s David King said.
“That was partly due to the fact we had the old ladies in the kitchen that looked after us which there’s not so much anymore.
“The afternoon teas I would say have gone backwards over the time from when I first started. I think Dandenong used to have three different pastas to choose from.”
Dandenong’s feed was praised in the survey for having “great variety”, “multiple pasta options” and scones.
Carlton was lauded for having the “best variety” and “unbelievable chicken rolls”.
“It’s something that we take a bit of pride in trying to bring back to cricket – make things a bit easier on everyone,” Gulbis said.
“I think it’s the job of the hosting team to make sure that not only the players that you have from your club are enjoying the day but other players from the opposition come and know they are going to play some hard cricket but they are also going to be looked after very well.”
Most clubs have cited finances and a lack of volunteers as reasons not to provide lunches.
Several survey respondents called for lunches and afternoon teas to be reintroduced at all clubs.
One said: “everyone should be doing lunches”. Another added the competition needs “to bring back the lunch and tea and clubs need to provide players with food.”
Nanopoulos said it was “a shame” so many clubs were unable to provide lunches anymore.
“We had a great spread at Fitzroy actually earlier this year,” Nanopoulos said.
“That was one of the better ones we’ve had. Liz and (president) Michael (Findlay) do a great job to really accommodate the players. Especially Liz. She goes out of her way on a Friday night to make, whether it’s pasta or some sweets, to keep the boys happy.
“It’s just one less thing we have to worry about really and she does an unbelievable job.”
Originally published as CODE Sports Premier Cricket player survey results: The art of the perfect lunch
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