Sport
13 November, 2025
State selection for Mahncke
RISING Mortlake cricketer Charlie Mahncke has earnt selection in the Victoria Country team that will play in the Cricket Australia under 17 national championships in January.
The tournament will be held in Brisbane from January 5 to January 12.
“Very stoked to get the phone call to say I was in,” Mahncke said.
“I’d been stressing all week, some of the others had their calls at 7.45pm, I didn’t get my call until 8.45, it was an hour of not being able to sit down.”
The path to selection in the team has been 12 months in the making.
In 2024/25, Mahncke represented the Geelong CC in the under 16 Dowling Shield competition, as well as playing in the Central Highlands Country Cup under 16 team.
“I was scouted at the Country Cup and Dowling Shield, then got to train all winter at the Citipower Centre (Junction Oval, St Kilda) on Sunday’s during the off-season.
“It was early to start cricket and a lot of travel, but it was totally worth it to get that level of coaching and training at elite facilities.”
A setback playing football almost derailed his chances of making the final squad.
“I got a concussion playing in a football grand final for the North Ballarat under 18s.
“As a result I was unable to play in the week of trial games in Mildura, but I still went for the week and soaked in all the info and how they went about it.”
While last season Mahncke played his club cricket with the Wendouree CC, he has returned to his home club for 2025/26, while also playing in Geelong’s under 18 team on Sundays.
“It’s been so good going back to play senior cricket with blokes I idolised as a young fella.
“Guys around the club like Shane Slater, Todd Lamont, Stephen Blacker and Craig Britten have been fantastic, their knowledge of the game is second to none.”
Some back issues have seen Mahncke change his bowling to become an off-spinner.
“Todd has been great to learn from with the way he goes about bowling his offies.
“I was lucky enough that Cricket Victoria hooked me up with a session with (former Victorian and Test spin bowler) Jon Holland, it was really special to tap into his knowledge.”
A boarder at Ballarat Grammar, Mahncke captains the school’s First XI in Wednesday night competition.
Playing for the Geelong under 18 team on a Sunday as a bottom ager this season has been a great experience.
“Dowling Shield coach Jack Rodgers played a big part in me playing for Geelong.
“There’s lots of country boys, they’re a great group of lads.”
The Geelong under 18 team also features another Mortlake CC product in Josh Slater.
“We’ve got a very strong team, I play in that purely as a batsman, we will be right up there in the top few teams this season.”
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