CSB: Aspendale secures Luke ‘Juice’ Wintle as captain-coach

Luke Wintle reveals the “clincher” in his decision to join Aspendale, names a recruit and outlines plans to lead the Dales back to glory.

Luke Wintle (left) with Aspendale Cricket Club president Justin Dean. Picture: Facebook

Luke Wintle churned out 1008 runs, at 50, while captaining Cheltenham over the past two summers.

Throw in 35 wickets, at 14, and the man they call “Juice” was undoubtedly the premier player in Division 2 of Cricket Southern Bayside.

Unsurprisingly, he was a man in demand — especially from the club he lives around the corner from, Aspendale.

The Dales and Wintle chatted...and a couple of weeks ago he accepted the role of captain-coach.

Luke Wintle batting for Noble Park. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Wintle already had a connection with Aspendale; he and his wife coach junior sides at the club and their sons play there.

“We’ve got three boys who play footy and cricket there,” Wintle said.

“There are 12 Wintles — including nieces and nephews — there for cricket so I thought I may as well get involved in the senior club.

“They’ve been chatting to me and, yeah, the time was right.’’

Wintle added: “The clincher was I went to the junior presentation at Aspendale and my boys were up the front with all their mates…and I thought, yeah, it would be nice to be at the same club. So I’m really looking forward to it.”

Aspendale finished sixth in CSB Division 2 last season, winning five matches and narrowly missing finals.

Ethan Wright batting for Aspendale.

Brett O'Hanlon.

Wintle said the club had a lot going for it; talent, youth and a junior program that was “humming’’.

He said the senior club was building again after “a tumultuous” 2021 when it was penalised for a dust-up in a CSB finals match.

“A few guys left and they got a bit wobbly,” Wintle said.

“They had success in lower grades last season and their senior side has talent and they’re quite young. I think they’ll be good.”

Brett O’Hanlon captained Aspendale last season but with Wintle coming in as captain-coach he will focus on playing and enjoying his cricket.

“He’ll play and be a gun,” Wintle said.

“He’s quite excited …he’ll bat and get runs, and bowl…he’s really happy with it.”

Cheltenham batsman Chris Lee has also joined Aspendale, helping to set high standards.

“He’s coming over from Cheltenham, I also played with him at Noble Park,” Wintle said.

“We enjoy playing our cricket together. He’s good, with the right behaviours and training standards…he’s pretty professional.”

Wintle was hopeful of former Aspendale players returning to the club and generating a community feel.

“They’ve had a bit of a tumultuous off field time a few years ago,” he said.

“They’ve got some good people in spots and they’ve settled a bit. And the next layer is probably getting the senior on field habits (right), improving those.

“You know what it’s like, with all the kids there it’s more of a community.”

Noble Park batsman and captain Luke Wintle.

St Bedes Mentone Tigers champion Luke Wintle.

Wintle’s successful cricket career included six seasons with Noble Park in the Subbies.

His most prolific season came in 2018-19, when he cracked 811 runs at an average of 73.7, leading Noble into the grand final.

He was named captain of the VSDCA team of the year.

Wintle is a most accomplished cricketer, but for many years he concentrated on football with St Bede’s Mentone Tigers, where he was at the heart of the 2006-07-08 premierships won under the coaching of Luke Beveridge.

He was captain for eight years, played 305 games, won two best and fairests, took the medal as best-afield in the B and A section grand finals, and represented the VAFA.

Aspendale Cricket Club said it was thrilled to secure Wintle.

“Luke has a distinguished list of achievements in local, Victorian Sub-District and Premier Cricket,’’ the club wrote.

“His outstanding leadership and mentoring skills in both his sporting and professional life will continue the high levels of development Aspendale Cricket Club has been striving towards.’’