MATILDA Scholz wants to be famous.

It's a good thing, because she's become the face of the AFLW competition. 

Since debuting in 2023, the Port Adelaide ruck has become one of the comp's most recognisable players, thanks to her eye-catching aerial ability, outgoing personality and Amazonian stature. Not to mention her TikTok videos.

At 189cm, Scholz stands out, but for the 21-year-old, any attention on her brings attention on the AFLW competition.

"I feel like it's something I've always kind of wanted," Scholz said of the spotlight.

"I've grown up wanting to be in some sort of limelight or whatever.

"I'm pretty self-aware. Anyone who knows me would borderline say I'm attention-seeker. I wouldn't like to label myself like that but I definitely do like having the spotlight on me.

"I like to think I'm making some sort of difference in women's sport, and women's footy. If not, let me know how I can do that I'll try.

"I'm all about wanting AFLW to be the biggest it can be and yeah, I love it."

Scholz's star power has always been obvious to those around her.

"I knew from the moment I met her [she would be something special]," partner and teammate Abbey Dowrick said.

"Before she blew up, she was always a big talk, even when she was coming in. She always wanted to be famous, and she's got that now so I just love sitting back and watching her.

"She's just - when she does something she gives it 100 per cent and she's quite a stickler for the rules."

Since joining Port Adelaide as an underage priority signing, Scholz has attracted attention.

Her extraordinary Mark of the Year in 2024 made her one of the AFLW's most notable players, while her TikTok presence has brought women's footy to a whole new audience among Gen Z. 

Her videos often feature herself and her teammates dancing before or after footy training, with Scholz always looking to find the fun while also putting in the work.

This year, Scholz has featured heavily in the AFLW's marketing campaign, including a front-page feature in Women's Health magazine in August and walking on the runway during the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Of course, the attention isn't always positive, but Scholz has adopted a healthy attitude towards trolls and those denigrating women's football.

"I do get a lot of hate comments on my TikToks. I think it's the funniest thing ever. I reply to all of them because it's so funny and I think they’re so dumb," Scholz said.

"I actually enjoy reading the hate comments because I'm like 'you guys are actual idiots'."

Scholz's younger sister Poppy is also making a name for herself in the competition after being drafted by Carlton with pick No.6 in 2024. 

While Matilda remains in her native South Australia, Poppy has moved to Melbourne where she lives with Blues captain Abbie McKay, herself one half of another AFLW sister act. 

Despite missing having her sister around, Scholz reckons the pair are closer than ever.

"We usually call every day. I send her so many TikToks and she never responds to any of them and it makes me feel really sad," Scholz joked.

"I find it tricky at times but I think we've definitely been closer since she's been in Melbourne because I think living together is kind of tricky. We operate very differently - we're very similar personality-wise but the way we operate in life is super different so she really gets on my nerves when we live together.

"It's really nice just to catch up, and when we do catch up it’s quality time."