AFLW Collingwood forward Moana Hope has transformed ahead of AFLW season

MOANA Hope admits she had a horrible AFLW season. But she’s lost weight, is fighting fit and set to strut her stuff at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

THIS is Moana Hope Mark II.

The Collingwood forward has lost 8kg, is drinking celery juice for breakfast and taking yoga classes.

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After an underwhelming debut in the AFLW competition — Hope’s pre-season was impeded by a back problem and she was restricted by a painful knee injury during the season proper — she is feeling good and enjoying her new VFL Women’s club Melbourne Uni.

Collingwood forward Moana Hope will play in the State of Origin clash. Picture: Jay Town

She’s not just lighter; she’s brighter too and has her sights set on making an impact in AFLW02.

“For me, (AFLW01) wasn’t a season I could call a season, because physically I couldn’t play properly,” Hope said.

“I’m super-keen, I can’t wait for it. Pre-season, I want to smash that.

“I’m not doing it to prove a point, I don’t have to prove a point. I’m doing it because people stood by me, because my teammates stood by me.

Hope playing for Collingwood in AFLW01

“I want Collingwood to win the premiership next year and I want to be a part of that.”

Hope has been doing boxing, weights, yoga and sprint training and has cut just over one second off her 20m sprint time in three months.

“I’ve been training like a crazy person,” she said.

“This year I was injured, next year I won’t be injured, touch wood, and with all this extra training I want to try and physically take myself to the fittest I know I can be.

“ … I’m feeling so good (in the VFL) being out there, running, injury free, feeling fit, becoming mentally strong again.

Moana Hope celebrates a goal in the AFLW season-opening clash against Carlton

“Being injured was mentally tough … being judged, nobody knew what was actually happening, but being judged under a microscope, that was absolutely hard.”

Under the guidance of friend, model Isabella Carlstrom, who is a vegetarian, Hope has changed her diet and is also mentally stronger.

“I’ve stopped eating red meat,” Hope said.

“Breakfast I have celery juice … I have that in the morning and it makes me feel like I’ve had a coffee, I’m fresh, I’m ready to go.

Moana Hope with friend Isabella Carlstrom who has helped change her diet Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

“She got me into Yoga and Yoga has changed my upper body strength.

“She’s been a really good influence on my life. She doesn’t let negative things in.

“Throughout the AFLW, it was hard sometimes, it did get me down. There were sometimes I cried and it pushed me to the point where I felt like crap.

“But having that influence there now, where if I ever doubted myself she would be like ‘you’ve been playing this game for 21 years and you’re amazing at what you do because of who you are’ and then straight away I’m out of the negativity.”

Initially overlooked for tomorrow’s State of Origin, Hope received a late call up and is honoured to wear the Big V.

“I didn’t deserve to be in the (initial) squad, if you look at my year, I played horrible football,” Hope said.

“When I got the call from Debbo (Victorian coach Debbie Lee) I was shocked. It’s a privilege to pull on that jumper.

“I’m absolutely excited for it.”

Here’s what you need to know about the 2017 AFLW State of Origin

When is it?

Saturday 2 September at 7.30pm.

Where is it?

Tomorrow’s AFLW State of Origin will be held at Etihad Stadium.

How much does it cost?

No cost, it’s free entry

How to watch from home?

The match will play live on Fox Footy from 7.30pm, and Channel Seven will begin broadcasting from 7.00pm.