AFLW: Port Adelaide young gun Matilda Scholz earns Rising Star nomination
Fresh from taking one of the greatest marks the AFLW has seen, Matilda Scholz has received a Rising Star nomination. She reveals which award she would prefer to ELIZA REILLY.
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AFLW Rising Star or Mark of the Year?
Port Adelaide ruck Matilda Scholz is in with a chance at both after a productive outing against Collingwood last Thursday night.
The second-year star had 19 hitouts, 15 disposals, six tackles and a goal in the Power’s eight-point win. She also took one of the best marks the AFLW has ever witnessed, climbing onto the shoulders of a Pies defender in the third quarter.
But if the 19-year-old had the choice between $20,000 or $50,000 and two million Velocity Frequent Flyer Points, Scholz knows what award she’d pick.
“I think the Rising Star is a really cool award,” she said. “It encompasses your whole season.
“That would be amazing. I’m not sure how close I get.”
As for her Mark of the Year nomination?
“Not a whole lot was going through my head when I was up there,” she said. “I’ve been working a lot on my contested marking after not taking many earlier in the season.
“I think you can see my face as I’m coming down. I’m in complete shock. I was happy I could stick it but I was surprised.”
Scholz is one of three Port players to be nominated for the Rising Star award this season. Midfielder Shineah Goody and midfielder/defender Molly Brooksby are already in the running after being nominated in week one and week five respectively.
“Three in seven weeks shows us what our club has in store for the future,” Scholz said. “The coaches have backed in us young girls.”
Unlike the other two, Scholz has however already been nominated for the AFLW Rising Star award. She finished fourth last season with 13 votes behind winner Zarlie Goldsworthy (41 votes).
It’s why Scholz thinks that she’s only begun to hit her straps in the past month, suffering from a touch of self-doubt after an outstanding debut season.
A rising star in every sense 🌟
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 14, 2024
Congratulations to Matilda Scholz on taking out the week seven @Telstra AFLW Rising Star nomination! pic.twitter.com/bizEDakC2R
“I think I started the season quite nervously,” she said. “I was happy with how my season went last year and I was pretty keen to try and replicate that.
“I think I put too much pressure on myself. As the season has gone on, I’ve gained more confidence each week but I’ve put a big emphasis on my preparation before each game.
“I’m taking something from each game that’s helped me improve.”
Port Adelaide face St Kilda on Friday at Alberton Oval, with both sides desperate to keep their finals hopes alive with a win.
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Originally published as AFLW: Port Adelaide young gun Matilda Scholz earns Rising Star nomination
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