Club/Recruited from: Glenelg
Position: Key defender 
Height: 179cm
DOB: 31 December 2006

CARLTON is pleased to welcome South Australian product Poppy Scholz at pick No.6 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Women’s Draft.

Scholz has showcased her talent at Glenelg despite an interrupted season due to an ankle injury, building on the promise she displayed earlier in the year and during her bottom-age performance at the National Carnival, where she was selected in the 2023 Under-18 All-Australian team.

Excelling as an interceptor down back, Scholz also demonstrates her versatility by rotating through the ruck and forward line, with her athleticism and adaptability highlighting her unique skill set among draft watchers.

Alongside football, Scholz - who doesn’t turn 18 until New Year’s Eve - has also competed at a high level in netball, adding another dimension to her sporting credentials.

Standing at 179cm, her aerial prowess is a clear strength, averaging just shy of five marks a game for Glenelg in the SANFLW competition. Her recruitment from the Bays is yet another coup for the Blues from the area, with Club AFL greats such as Stephen Kernahan and Bryce Gibbs also rounded out by Ashton Moir and the Camporeale twins over the last year.

A familiar face in Adelaide's football scene, Scholz has been playing in the SANFLW since she was 16, impressing with her ball use, football IQ and knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Coming from a dynamic sporting lineage, Scholz is part of a talented family. Her sister Matilda plays at the highest level for Port Adelaide, while her mother Peta was a professional netballer who represented Australia.

Head of AFLW Ash Naulty was delighted with Scholz joining Carlton, referencing her diligence to get back to her best after injury. 

“We regard Poppy as one of the absolute standout key position prospects in a strong draft pool, so we couldn’t be happier to officially welcome her to our football club,” Naulty said.

“Her talent is evident for anybody who’s seen her play, and to go with her impressive character is an outstanding footy IQ. She’s played since she was 10 years old and regularly been up against more senior opposition but hasn’t let that faze her: we’re really excited to see her compete at AFLW level.

“The grit and determination she has shown in recent years is a testament to her character, and we see her being a really important contributor to our Club for a long period of time.

“We think working under the likes of Kerryn Peterson and Harriet Cordner, she can develop under some quality leaders: the sky’s the limit for Poppy.”