PORT ADELAIDE ruck Matilda Scholz has been named the 2024 Telstra AFLW Rising Star after her incredible second season in the competition.

Scholz received the honour at the W Awards event held at Melbourne’s Crowne Palladium on Monday night.

Averaging 22 hit-outs (five to advantage) to go with 13.4 disposals and 4.6 clearances per game, Scholz took her game to another level in 2024, making her one of the more damaging rucks in the competition.

She ranked inside the top ten in the AFLW for both hit-outs and centre clearances, demonstrating her impact in the centre square.

She received 57 of a possible 60 votes to edge teammate Shineah Goody (48 votes) and Essendon’s Amy Gaylor (26).

Receiving the award, the 19-year-old praised teammates Shineah Goody (Week One) and Molly Brooksby (Week Five) who were also nominees for the 2024 Telstra AFLW Rising Star.

“Obviously Molly Brooksby and Shineah Goody have had fantastic seasons as well so I just want to shout them out,” Scholz said after claiming the award.

“I’d like to thank Telstra for sponsoring the award and to the AFL, I’d like to thank my coaches and the girls over there (my teammates) who have supported me all season.

“And, a massive thank you to our supporters as well. We’ve got I reckon one of the best support groups in the whole of the AFLW!”

Scholz earned her Rising Star nomination after the Week 7 win over Collingwood, in which the 189cm ruck took what was deemed the 2024 Virgin Mark of the Year, earning herself $50,000 and two million Velocity Frequent Flyer points.

It’s the second time Scholz had received a nomination after getting the nod in Round 2 last season.

She is the second Port Adelaide player in three seasons to be named the competition’s Rising Star, following Hannah Ewings in the club’s first AFLW season in 2022.