Grand Final Luncheon

Over 300 guests joined some of the biggest stars in the game for the 2011 AFL Players’ Grand Final Luncheon, held in the La Trobe Ballroom at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne.

The luncheon has become one of the premier events on the morning of the Grand Final and although the weather was blustery, the mood inside was as festive as ever.

Fans were welcomed with beverages and canapés on arrival and began mingling with the stars including Luke Power, Adam Goodes, Brad Sewell, Ted Richards, Nathan Foley, Jack Watts, Todd Goldstein and former player Paul Licuria.

Once inside, former Essendon teammates Scott Lucas (who was MC) and Steve Alessio took charge providing a blend of comedy, banter and questions from the floor as they interviewed the players.

Never a shrinking violet, Alessio had also gathered some of his best light-hearted comedic relief and delivered it at the expense of the Collingwood fans, much to the delight of the Geelong faithful.

“I couldn’t help throwing in a few gags but I think at least more than half of the crowd enjoyed them,” laughed Alessio.

“It’s a great event and keeps getting better and as far as I am concerned there is no better place to be Grand Final morning.

“If you are planning on going to the game why wouldn’t you make a day of it and enjoy breakfast with footy stars and hear from guys who have been there before.

“You’ve got premiership players like Sewelly and Teddy sitting next to you, a Brownlow medallist Goodesy standing across the room, and the President Lukey Power coming to ask how your day has been.

“You can’t beat that.”

Players reeled off stories as guests enjoyed either Tasmanian steamed salmon with kipfler potato and root vegetable salad, lemon and chive dressing or a provincial delight of char-grilled Riverina Spring lamb cutlets with cous cous and crisp Greek salad with balsamic glaze.

Tyson Densley, a Geelong supporter who attended with his brother said the luncheon had been the perfect start to their Grand Final celebrations.

“It’s been great so far,” said Densley.

“I’ve been sitting on the table with Brad Sewell and a couple of other players and it’s great to be able to have a chat with them about footy over a meal, it’s pretty surreal actually.”

Densley said the intimate venue also helped create a great vibe at the event.

“I really liked listening to Jack Watts talk about what it was like when he first entered the system and the challenges he overcame,” said Densley.

“It was pretty interesting stuff as a footy fan and I also never knew that Goodes takes an ice bath at half time of every game, so that’s pretty cool.”

Other topics to come up during player speeches were Brad Sewell’s blushing encounter with Rachael Finch at the Brownlow, Ted Richards questionable fashion sense arriving in burgundy pants, Luke Power’s intention to finish his career at Greater Western Sydney and Todd Goldstein’s insight that Brad Ottens is the most powerful ruckman in the league.

As the event concluded and the sun made its first appearance, guests continued to enjoy drinks, a blend of cheeses and even gourmet mini ice-creams as their excitement grew with the knowledge they would be positioned in premium seating to watch one of the most anticipated Grand Final battles of the modern era.

And the game certainly did not disappoint....