CSB: Nick Jewell to build on family history at South Caulfield after being appointed coach

Nick Jewell admits he raised his eyebrows to a comment from his dad Tony after informing him he was the new coach of South Caulfield Cricket Club.

Tony Jewell and son Nick.

Nick Jewell’s family connection at South Caulfield Cricket Club goes back to the late 1960s.

His dad, Richmond premiership player and coach Tony Jewell, played all of his cricket there, as did two of his uncles, Bob and Rick.

Even Nick himself wore the South cap; for a few games in under 16s.

All these years later and 46-year-old Jewell is back at South Caulfield — as head coach.

“Dad played all of his cricket at South Caulfield when he was playing footy back in the day,” Jewell said.

“He opened the bowling and I thought he said — I don’t know if I misheard him the other day — he won a batting average one year.

“But I’ve seen him bat in the backyard so I don’t know if that’s true.”

Flashback, 1983: St Kilda coach Tony Jewell and his son Nick, 5.

Nick Jewell batting for Victoria.

Former Victorian opener Jewell will take charge of an accomplished South Caulfield outfit that has been a perennial finals performer in Cricket Southern Bayside, winning a stack of flags, including last season’s Championship Division title.

He will offer his knowledge gained from a decade of first-class cricket experience as well as his time in Premier Cricket and coaching.

“Obviously there’s a lot of talent there (at South),” Jewell said.

“I suppose where I’ll come in is just training standards…and some technical advice and probably just some match scenarios, some game day advice.

“While the captain’s in charge a hundred percent, just thinking a little bit differently how to get from A to B.

“And let the talent take care of itself and try and tweak it and harness it.

Nick Jewell and South Caulfield vice president Andrew Kahofer. Picture: Facebook

“It will be good to be back into that bit higher level, and on turf, against players who have played a higher level as well.”

Jewell won’t play, declaring: “Those days are over. I’m 47 next year, that will do me.”

A two-time Sheffield Shield title winner, Jewell played the last of his 62 first-class matches in 2010.

He joined the Mornington Peninsula cricket competition in 2012 and played and coached with success at clubs including Sorrento, Long Island and Rosebud.

Jewell said he would sit down with South Caulfield next week to plan the 2024-25 season.

He replaces Jason Jacoby, who stepped down after coaching South Caulfield to the flag in March.

Jewell, who played 184 first XI games for St Kilda, continues the strong Saints connection at South Caulfield. South’s previous three coaches were also ex-St Kilda players, Glenn Lalor, Gerard Cull and Jacoby — and they all steered South Caulfield to premiership success.