Matilda Scholz

Matilda Jane Scholz (born 29 April 2005) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for Port Adelaide Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW) competition.

Early life Born in Adelaide, South Australia to former Australian netball international Peta Scholz and David Scholz, Matilda was raised in Adelaide before temporarily moving with her family to Mt Maunganui, New Zealand in 2010 while her mother played for Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in the Trans-Tasman Netball League.

Playing her junior football with Adelaide Footy League club Mitcham, Scholz made her SANFL Women's League (SANFLW) senior debut for Glenelg Football Club in 2022, playing 11 games and finishing fifth in Glenelg's Best and Fairest.

Making her AFLW debut in round 1, 2023, against , Scholz played all 10 games of the AFLW home and away season, finishing third in Port Adelaide's best and fairest and awarded the club's best first year player award.

In 2024, Scholz played a key role in Port Adelaide's first AFLW final series, winning the club best and fairest as well as being included in the extended All-Australian squad.

Scholz was the first women's footballer to win consecutive best-and-fairest awards for Port Adelaide, claiming the back-to-back honours in 2024 and 2025.

Personal life Scholz's sister Poppy was drafted by Carlton at the 2024 AFL Women's draft. Scholz's partner is teammate Abbey Dowrick. While she is dating a woman, Scholz doesn't identify with any particular label. Her pride in her sexuality is inspired by her mother, who entered a sapphic relationship following her divorce when Matilda was in her youth.

In March 2026, Scholz starred in the reality TV show Rivals: Sport vs. Sport representing "Team Aussie Rules".