PORT ADELAIDE ruck Matilda Scholz has received a Rising Star nomination after her performance against Brisbane in Round 2. 

Scholz was a shining light in an otherwise challenging day on the park for the Power, recording 20 hitouts against Lion Tahlia Hickie, one of the strongest rucks in the competition. 

She also collected 13 disposals (11 contested), four marks and five tackles on Saturday, plus had 282 metres gained.  

At just 18-years-old, Scholz has already shown her strength and ability in the contest, with her overhead marking becoming a trademark of her game. 

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Matilda Scholz: Round 2 Rising Star nominee | PTV

Highlights from Matilda's impressive performance against the Lions.

The 189-centimetre ruck was pleasantly surprised by the nomination, with head of AFLW Juliet Haslam delivering the news. 

“I'm really excited to be honest, I was not expecting it at all, so it was a big shock when Juliet called me this morning, but I'm just really grateful,” Scholz said. 

“When she called me and told me I had been nominated for Rising Star, she could hear the smile in my voice, definitely.” 

Scholz has enjoyed the challenge of stepping up to AFLW level in 2023, after being signed to Port Adelaide from Glenelg as an underage player in March, allowable as part of the expansion rules. 

“It's been so much fun, I've loved it,” she said. 

“(Games have) been ridiculously hard, I feel like it's so different from any pre-season running (and games) we've done but I'm really, really enjoying it and I just wake up every morning looking forward to footy.” 

Matilda Scholz recorded an impressive 20 hit outs in just her second AFLW game. Image: AFL Photos.

Already getting a taste of the physicality required at the top level, Scholz was sporting two black eyes on Monday, that she gained over the first two games. 

“I wrapped Crows ruck Jess Allan in a tackle (in Round 1) and got a little elbow to the eye, looks terrible in the vision but I came out with a good shiner,” Scholz laughed. 

“I've loved it so much (though). Every day we have training is a good day and I wake up so excited for it. I feel like everyone's welcomed me so well and everyone is just so lovely here and I just feel like I can be myself, which is obviously a good thing.  

“I'm just so grateful for all the girls for welcoming me in.” 

Two Rising Stars are nominated each week of the NAB AFLW competition, with Greater Western Sydney’s Zarlie Goldsworthy the second nominee from Round 2.