North Melbourne’s Moana Hope to play as permanent full-forward in AFLW 2019

After kicking just eight goals in a varied role for Collingwood last season, North Melbourne recruit Moana Hope will be eyeing the big sticks in 2019, with the Kangaroos set to play her out of the square.

North Melbourne says it couldn’t be happier with recruit Moana Hope, who has been given a clear message to plonk herself at full-forward and stay there in the AFLW this season.

The former Collingwood marquee signing managed just seven goals in the AFLW in 2017 and eight last year but was often played further up the ground, including spending time in the midfield.

Hope kicked 100 goals for St Kilda in the VFLW competition in 2016 as a permanent full-forward and Kangaroos coach Scott Gowans said he was confident the big-name recruit could rediscover top form there this year.

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North Melbourne is confident Moana Hope can be a “real asset” in the AFLW this year. Picture: Richard Jupe

“She’s a lock down at full-forward and we want her to be a master at what she’s really good at which is kicking goals and providing forward pressure and bringing other forwards into the game,” Gowans said.

“It’s as simple as that. She won’t move too far from that position.”

Gowans said he couldn’t fault Hope for her preparation ahead of the new season and said injury niggles had not helped the 30-year-old during her two years at the Magpies.

“She’s delivered on everything she said she would in terms of effort and all those little things doing the extras and working on her craft,” Gowans said.

“She’s been absolutely terrific off the field as well with the supporters and helping the young girls.

“She obviously had a few injuries at Collingwood but just hasn’t put a foot wrong yet. I think she’s just such an asset to us.”

Moana Hope is tackled at training during North Melbourne’s trip to Tasmania. Picture: Patrick Gee

One of the expansion teams in the AFLW this year along with Geelong, North Melbourne is tipped to be a genuine premiership contender after assembling a quality list headlined by last year’s league best-and-fairest Emma Kearney.

Gowans said the hype was not something that worried him but it could take the Kangaroos a couple of weeks to get going.

“If it brings a few more people to the game because they think we’re going to be good, fantastic,” he said.

“But we’ve still got 50 per cent of the list who haven’t played AFLW football.

“Like any side we’re relying on our key players to play really well but it’s how quickly they jell together that will probably determine if we win or lose those first few games.”

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Originally published as North Melbourne’s Moana Hope to play as permanent full-forward in AFLW 2019