Port Adelaide has secured the signature of Glenelg ruck Matilda Scholz ahead of the upcoming AFLW season. 

As part of the priority signing period, the club is allowed to sign one underage player who turns 18 before 30 April 2023 and has completed year 12. 

Scholz was surprised by list manager Naomi Maidment, senior coach Lauren Arnell and head of AFLW Juliet Haslam at SANFLW training on Wednesday night, who presented her with a playing contract. 

Glenelg senior coach Lexia Edwards helped to orchestrate the surprise, as well as the Scholz family, many of whom were present for the moment. 

List manager Naomi Maidment and senior coach Lauren Arnell surprised Scholz in front of her teammates. Image: Jamie Anderson.

“We did our warm-up lap and we met over by some trees, gathered around with the coaches and I was like 'what's going on here?',” Scholz reflected.  

“Then the Port crew came over with my family. It was so nice, I got presented with a guernsey and the Glenelg girls jumped on me and crowded around me. I hugged all my family, it was nice. 

“It was a genuine surprise. I was so shocked! My heart was beating so fast. I can’t really remember it to be honest!” 

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Highlights: Matilda Scholz | PTV

Matilda Scholz has joined Port Adelaide as an underage signing.

The 188-centimetre ruck has played 11 SANFLW games for Glenelg, registering an outstanding average of 24 hitouts per match.  

Scholz had a stellar debut senior footy season, polling fifth in Glenelg’s 2022 SANFLW Best and Fairest and equal-third in the club’s Trademark Player voting. 

She also had a brilliant under 18 national championships campaign in 2022, earning a place on the interchange for the All-Australian team. 

“I'm so excited, it's so great to be here,” Scholz said at Alberton on Thursday. 

“It's pretty crazy that now I get to play here. (I want to bring) the skills I’ve picked up playing in the SANFL in the ruck, my willingness to learn new things and a good energy.” 

Matilda's skillset will nicely complement developing ruck Olivia Levicki. Image: Matt Sampson.

Scholz has professional sport in her veins; her mother Peta Squire is a Commonwealth Games and World Netball Championships gold medallist for the Australian Diamonds.  

Maidment is pleased to welcome Scholz to the club, with her specialist skill-set able to complement developing ruck Olivia Levicki. 

“Matilda is a genuine ruck and a really exciting acquisition for our list,” Maidment said. 

“At 188 centimetres, she is also super athletic, which is rarely seen for a player of that height. The difference between Matilda and other rucks is she’s very good around the ground too. 

“She’s also just a wonderful, friendly human with a great personality, who will no doubt have a really long career in the AFLW.”