Port Adelaide star Matilda Scholz has committed her long-term future to the club, signing a contract extension that will keep her at Alberton until at least the end of the 2030 AFLW season.

One of the brightest young stars in the AFLW, Scholz has put pen to paper on a three-year extension, despite already being contracted until the end of 2027.

The early commitment is a significant show of faith in Port Adelaide’s future, with the 21-year-old excited by what the club is building under new senior coach Glenn Strachan.

Having joined the Power during the 2023 priority signing period, Scholz has quickly established herself as one of the competition’s premier players.

A genuine ruck with rare athleticism and mobility, Scholz has continued to demonstrate the power of her specialist skillset since arriving at Alberton.

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Locked in until 2030: Matilda Scholz highlights

Matilda Scholz has re-committed to Port Adelaide until at least the end of 2030.

After an impressive debut season in 2023, which saw her named Port Adelaide’s Best First Year Player and finish third in the club’s Best & Fairest count, Scholz announced herself as one of the AFLW’s most exciting young talents in 2024.

Her breakout campaign saw her claim Port Adelaide’s Best & Fairest and the AFLW Rising Star Award, while also earning an All-Australian nomination, the AFLW Mark of the Year and a second AFLPA 22under22 selection.

Scholz took her game to another level in 2025, solidifying her status as one of the genuine stars of the competition.

At just 21-year-old, Scholz has emerged as one of the competition's elite. Image: Matt Sampson.

Averaging 22.8 hitouts per game, the second-most in the AFLW, and six score involvements per game, ranked fourth in the competition, Scholz continued to assert her influence across the ground.

She capped off the season by claiming a second consecutive Port Adelaide Best & Fairest medal and earning her first All-Australian blazer.

Now in the midst of another outstanding season, Scholz is averaging 19.8 disposals, 12.8 kicks and 27.3 hitouts per game.

The young ruck was also selected in the Australian side for the inaugural Australia v Ireland clash ahead of the 2026 AFLW season.

Scholz said committing to Port Adelaide for the long term was an easy decision.

“I love this football club, so it was an easy decision to commit my future here for the next four years,” Scholz said.

“We’re building something really special, and I’m really excited to know I’m going to be part of that journey long term.

“There’s a lot to look forward to with this group and the direction we’re heading in under Glenn. I’ve really enjoyed working with him so far, and I have a lot of belief in what we can achieve together.

“When I was going through the process of signing the extension, I just couldn’t imagine playing footy anywhere else. Alberton is home.

“I love coming into the club to train and running out here on game day. It’s a really special place, and we’ve got the best fans in the league.

“I’m really proud to represent Port Adelaide, and I can’t wait to continue this journey with my teammates and see what we can achieve together.”

Scholz says she's excited to be a part of "something special" as she commits herself to the club long-term. Image: Matt Sampson.

Port Adelaide Head of AFLW Dan Merrett said securing Scholz’s signature until the end of 2030 was an exciting moment for the club.

“To have Matilda commit to Port Adelaide until the end of 2030 is a really significant moment for our football club,” Merrett said.

“She was already contracted until the end of 2027, so for her to make the decision to extend her time at Alberton even further is a great show of faith in the direction of our program and what we’re building.

“Matilda is one of the most talented players in the competition and, remarkably, she is still so early in her football journey.

“She has already achieved an incredible amount in her first three seasons of AFLW football, but she has a real appetite to keep improving, and that’s what excites us most about what the future holds for her.

“Her ability as a ruck is obvious, but what makes her such a special player is her athleticism, competitiveness and the influence she can have right across the ground.

“She is a player with enormous potential, but she is also someone who wants to be challenged, wants to get better and wants to help drive this group forward.

“Having a player of Matilda’s calibre commit her long-term future to Port Adelaide is a great endorsement of the environment we have created and the direction the program is heading under Glenn.”

Scholz’s long-term commitment follows a string of recent re-signings, including a four-year extension for Ella Heads, a three-year contract for Shineah Goody, and one-year deals for experienced trio Maria Moloney, Cheyenne Hammond and Ebony O’Dea.