Poppy Scholz

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Poppy Scholz (born 31 December 2006) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Carlton Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW). A tall utility renowned for her intercept marking, versatility, and athleticism, she was selected by Carlton with pick No. 6 in the 2024 AFL Women's draft, recruited from Glenelg in the SANFL Women's League (SANFLW).

Contents

Poppy Scholz
Personal information
Full name Poppy Scholz
Date of birth (2006-12-31) December 31, 2006 (age 18)
Original team(s) Glenelg (SANFL Women's)
Draft No. 6, 2024 national draft
Height 179 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Utility
Playing career
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2025– Carlton 0 (0)
Source: AustralianFootball.com

Early life and SANFLW career

Scholz developed her football foundations playing for Glenelg in the SANFLW, rising rapidly through the club’s development system. In the opening round of the 2024 season, she posted an impressive stat line—20 disposals, 8 marks, and 4 tackles—highlighting her ability as a key intercept defender. [1] Across the season, her aerial strength, game intelligence, and versatility stood out in the league. [2]

AFLW draft and recruitment

Prior to her AFLW debut, Scholz was named one of the most promising young footballers in South Australia by The Advertiser, a testament to her rising reputation in the SANFLW and football pathways. [3]

In the 2024 national draft, Scholz was one of ten SANFLW players selected, with Carlton using their first pick, sixth overall, to recruit her. [4] As one of the youngest players selected, she accepted the opportunity to train with Carlton’s established high-performance programs, viewing the move as a pivotal step in her development. [5] Her sister, Matilda Scholz, a rising ruck with Port Adelaide, surprised her at the draft event—a moment that received media attention. [6]

AFL Women's career

Scholz joined Carlton’s AFLW program ahead of the 2025 season. While yet to debut, she trained across multiple roles—including key defence, forward, and ruck—with coaching staff highlighting her elite intercept ability and flexibility. [5]

Playing style

Scholz is known for her strong intercept marking and ability to cut off opposition attacks, positional versatility, playing effectively across defensive and forward lines and providing occasional ruck relief, as well as her athleticism and clean ball use, with a refined football IQ despite her youth. [1] [2]

Personal life and family

Scholz comes from a high-achieving sporting family. Her mother, Peta Scholz (née Squire), is a former Australian netballer who represented her nation, won a World Championship in 1999, and secured Commonwealth Games gold in 2002. Peta also had premiership success with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the ANZ Championship. [7] Scholz's sister Matilda has become an emerging star in the AFLW, earning a Rising Star award with Port Adelaide. [8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "SANFLW Player Focus: Poppy Scholz (Glenelg)". Rookie Me Central. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Poppy Scholz – Player Profile". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "Meet the rising stars of South Aussie women's football". The Advertiser. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ten SANFLW players selected in 2024 AFLW Draft". Glenelg Football Club. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Scholz set for big move east to chase dream". Rookie Me Central. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "Sister act: How Matilda surprised Poppy at the draft". AFL.com.au. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "Scholz forging her own path". Netball Australia. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "Matilda Scholz – AFLW career highlights". Wikipedia. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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