PORT ADELAIDE ruck Matilda Scholz will make her NAB AFLW debut this Saturday against Adelaide at Norwood Oval.
The 189-centimetre 18-year-old was signed to Port Adelaide during the priority signing period, with the club offered the chance to sign one underage player as part of expansion rules.
Glenelg product Scholz already has Power fans excited after her performance in pre-season matches, where she dominated with her strength and aerial contest.
She was signed to Port Adelaide following a breakout 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.
New Port Adelaide recruits and former Fremantle duo Janelle Cuthbertson and Jasmin Stewart will each make their club debut, as will Ashleigh Saint, who crossed town from the Adelaide Football Club in March.
Key forward Saint (née Woodland) spent three seasons at West Lakes, before making the move to Alberton, to join the club she supported growing up.
Adding more firepower to the Showdown rivalry, former Crows Erin Phillips, Justine Mules and Ange Foley have all been named for Round 1.
Midfielder Maria Moloney and mid-forward Sachi Syme are both unavailable for selection this week as they serve suspensions imposed following the final match of 2022.
Saturday’s game gets under way at 2:35pm ACST and will be shown live on 7mate, Fox Footy and Kayo.
Round 1 Team Selection
B: A. Borg 21, J Cuthbertson 25
HB: C Hammond 28, H Dunn 24, A Ballard 19
C: A Foley 3, E Phillips 1-C, E Boag 17
HF: J Mules 14, G Houghton 27, J Teakle 15
F: A Saint 8, O Levicki 18
Foll: M Scholz 29, A Dowrick 5, H Ewings 12
I/C: E O’Dea 2, Y Duursma 7, I Tahau 10, J Stewart 13, M MacLachlan 16,
Emergencies: M Keryk 26, Li Cockatoo-Motlap 30, K Pope 44
