IT’S often said that sport is played between the ears, and the “mental game” is an area 2023 AFLW Draft prospect Matilda Scholz is looking to enhance.

Heading into her top-age campaign, the South Australian ruck is harbouring inspiration from her studious father, and former-netballing mother, Peta. What’s more, she’s advancing through the pathway alongside younger sister, Poppy.

“Footy’s such a massive mental game for me,” Scholz said. “Usually I come off at half time crying because I’m not playing well, but then dad’s that really supportive person who I talk to a lot about mindset. Next year especially, that’s something I want to really focus on.

“Dad is a massive influence, he’s starting his PhD in psychology at the moment… My mum has lots of elite sporting experience so it’s really good to get advice from her about training and it’s really cool to see what she used to do.”

Another positive influence in the mental space has been the younger of the Scholz girls. Turning out in the same Glenelg side as Matilda, tall winger Poppy has a clear connection with her sibling on-field and is always good for a confidence boost at training.

“I love Poppy so much,” Scholz said. “After training she’s always there for a chat, a bit of a debrief and she’ll always be the one to lift me up like ‘you’re training really well’ and I’ll lift her up as well.

“We know where each other are on the field, obviously not telepathy because that’s not real, but we have that little connection… I kind of wish she was playing a bit more on-ball (for Glenelg) so I could tap it to her.

“I ruck for school and she plays inside mid so it’s straight down to her. But we always look out for each other on the field. If she’s not getting much of the ball I’ll look for her first and get her touches up a bit, and she does the same for me.”

Despite her own assessment in the heat of battle, Scholz is arguably a much more an eye-watering prospect for the opposition. At 187cm, Scholz is athletically gifted and often a “giant” compared to junior competitors, but has also held her own against senior opposition.

Having cut her teeth in 11 SANFLW games this season with an average of 24 hitouts, the 17-year-old made her presence felt in two outings for her state’s Under 18 side, earning All Australian selection in the undefeated title-winning team.

Despite the gulf between her peers and mature-age opposition, Scholz tends not to change her approach too much when leaping through either competition.

“Coming up against some bigger bodies was definitely a shock, but it was good to see where I stand with them,” Scholz said. “Especially in school footy and even in club footy I was always like a giant out there compared to everyone else.

“I kind of always try and play my game. I feel like I’m quite a strong player as well, I just try to stick to my game and round that out to be the best it can be against both those sides.”

Speaking of rounding out her game, Scholz has eyes on building a strong fitness base which should allow for more time up forward. Along with an enhanced mindset, it’s one of the things which she hopes will accelerate her to the ultimate goal of being drafted come the end of season 2023.

“Last year at Glenelg I played 50 per cent game time, so I rotated from the ruck to the bench,” Scholz said. “(Next) season I’m really hoping to rotate into the forward line to add that other aspect to my game. Having that aerobic fitness will help with that so it’s what I’ve been focussing on.

“I really like playing the ruck, I feel like I’m good at it so I like playing there. I would really like to get some gametime in the forward line and kick some goals, that’d be so much fun. I haven’t kicked a goal for Glenelg yet so I’m hoping to get that this season.

There’s a couple more goals Scholz is looking to kick along the way, too.

“I’d like to get drafted but as a team at Glenelg, obviously winning a flag would be so good, that’d be so much fun… I’m so excited (to play for South Australia), state footy is just so much fun with those girls, I’m so keen for that. Hopefully we win the championship again.”

The 2023 SANFLW fixture, and AFL Under 18 championship schedule are set to be finalised and released soon. In the meantime, junior and mature-age prospects alike kicked off the first phase of their preseasons over the last month in anticipation of a big year ahead.