Midfield duo Abbey Dowrick and Matilda Scholz have been named in the AFL Players’ Association AFLW 22Under22 44-player squad. 

Dowrick had a breakout second season at Port Adelaide, playing all 10 games and leading her side for disposals, tackles and clearances. 

Averaging 19.6 possessions and 6.3 clearances across the year, the smooth-moving midfielder was a cut above in 2023. 

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The 21-year-old finished the season inside the league’s top six for clearances and ranked third in the competition for average metes gained, with 472. 

Dowrick was picked up as an open-age signing from WAFLW club Subiaco last year, prior to Port Adelaide’s inaugural season. 

Young midfield star Abbey Dowrick took her game to new heights in her second AFLW season. Image: AFL Photos.

Young ruck Scholz enjoyed a standout debut AFLW campaign, being nominated for Rising Star following her Round 2 performance.  

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

She finished eighth in the league for hitouts and third at the club for clearances, with the 189-centimetre player often praised for her work-rate and aerial contest. 

Matilda Scholz burst onto the scene, earning a Rising Star nomination in Round 2 and continuing strong form throughout the season. Image: Matt Sampson.

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

The final 22Under22 team is selected through a fan vote, opening for a week from today, with the final team announced on 22 November. Vote for them now.

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 squad of 44 players, with support from Champion Data.