MATILDA Scholz has been voted into the AFL Players’ Association AFLW 22Under22 team. 

In a fan-voted final 22, the young ruck has been rewarded for an outstanding debut NAB AFLW season.  

Scholz recently finished third in the Port Adelaide’s best and fairest count and was named the club’s best first year player. 

Following her Round 2 performance, she was nominated for Rising Star and later, ended the season eighth in the league for hitouts and third at the club for clearances. 

The 189-centimetre 18-year-old has been frequently praised for her aerial contest and work-rate around the ground. 

Scholz was secured as an underage signing by the Power during the priority signing period, just before her 18th birthday in April. 

The daughter of former Australian netballer Peta Squire, Scholz showed an aptitude for both netball and football as a child, before pursuing football more seriously with SANFLW club Glenelg. 

For a player to be eligible for the 22Under22 squad, they must be aged 22 or under for the entire season, and must have played 50 per cent of games. 

Chair of selectors Melissa Hickey, and an internal selection panel at the AFL Players’ Association selected the initial squad of 44 players, with support from Champion Data. 

Newly crowned Port Adelaide best and fairest winner Abbey Dowrick was selected in the preliminary squad of 44, however just missed out on the final 22 following the fan vote. 

 
Captain: Charlie Rowbottom 
Vice-Captain: Georgie Prespakis