A former rugby league player has found a new passion: indoor cricket.
Peter Samuel played 50 games across three NRL clubs over five years. He was known as a journeyman utility player who couldn’t quite nail a consistent first grade position, though he did finish his career with two seasons and 40 games for the Brisbane (Eastern Suburbs) Tigers in the Queensland Cup.
Upon retirement in 2025, Peter opened up a gym (called ‘The Utililty’) and has been content in his new business, with no interest to dip his toe into rugby league media or coaching.
“Mate, all the cushy media roles go to the elite players who win premiership, play Origin, play for their country, you know the drill. And I have no interest in podcasting as I was a fringe first grader and wouldn’t feel comfortable criticising players who were heaps better than me. Same goes with coaching.”
While his gym work keeps him fit, Peter found his new passion for indoor cricket when filling in for a mate’s social team ‘The Cunning Plans’.
“It was pretty fun and I only played a couple of games a month, so it didn’t interfere with work too much.”
With one of ‘The Cunning Plan’s’ regular players dropping out recently, Peter was offered a permanent spot in the team, and decided to accept it.
“The sweetener was we were making new uniforms and we organised for ‘The Utility’ to sponsor the team, so I can promote my business and play cricket.”
A right-arm leg spinner and right-handed batter, Peter took some time to practice his skills at his local nets before joining the team full-time, and admitted to feeling nervous before games.
“You might think it’s silly that someone who played elite rugby league would be nervous about social indoor cricket, but this wasn’t a fill-in game where it didn’t matter if I didn’t play well. It took me back to my footy days when I felt the pressure to earn my spot in the team. I still need to take it seriously and do my best.”
Though Peter’s nervousness was unfounded, as he’s regularly been in 50+ partnerships opening the batting, and taken a few wickets with his leggies.
“The best part is nobody cares who I am. I get the odd question from people who recognise me, but I save any footy chat for after the games with a couple of beers.”
The Gurgler presents stories of the Park Cricketer, where we explore the lower reaches of the great game of cricket from the suburban ovals and rural grounds across Australia.
