Watching a sudden death world cup penalty shootout is no way to prepare for an AFL game.

Just ask Lachie Schultz.

Schultz said his heart rate was much higher than it should have been before bouncedown as the quarter final between Australia and France played out on the big screen as both teams warmed up.

But the forward pushed through, and used the Matildas as inspiration for his five-goal and Glendinning-Allan Medal winning performance in Fremantle’s 101-point RAC Derby win on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.

“It 100 per cent distracted me but it definitely inspired me,” Schultz said about the Matildas remarkable win.

“My heart rate warming up was a lot higher than it should have been watching that penalty shootout.

“It was great to see them get over the line and I think once they got the job done, it led into our game and it was just perfect. The stars aligned for us, and I know we would carry their momentum on.

“It’s a little bit cliched to say but it was very inspiring.”

Despite plying his trade as a forward, Schultz’s favourite Matildas come from the defensive group.

“I love Steph Catley, I love Ellie Carpenter, they’re guns in the back half,” Schultz said.

“Then up forward…they’re all guns. I just love them all.”

Schultz was all praise for his teammates for their efforts in the 101-point win, highlighting the even performance.

Even the voting for the Glendinning-Allan Medal was all square, with Schultz edging Luke Jackson out on a countback after they polled seven votes each.

Schultz had 24 disposals on top of his five goals, while Jackson was again elite with his follow-up out of the ruck with a game-high six clearances to go with his 10 contested possessions, 19 disposals, five tackles and a goal.

“It was a great win and awesome to cap it off with a medal,” Schultz said.

“I’m just stoked with how the boys played and obviously they made my life easier up forward. They got the ball in and I was able to get on the end of it which was just lucky for me.

“I think the brand of footy we played, everyone executed their role all the time.

“When we got in at half time, we challenged ourselves to see it out. It’s easy to get out of role and shape at times but I thought we stuck it out to the final siren and it was very pleasing to see.”

It was Schultz’s second Glendinning-Allan Medal, going with his medal from round three in 2022.

He joins Paul Hasleby (4), Matthew Pavlich (3), Lachie Neale (3), Aaron Sandilands (2), Michael Barlow (2) and Caleb Serong (2) as Freo players to win the award more than once.

Schultz joked about winning the medal for the second time.

“I just seem to save my one good game for the Derby each year! I’ll take it when it comes,” he said.

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