Fitter and leaner Moana Hope determined to make an impact for Collingwood in second AFLW season

MOANA Hope admits she had a horrible AFLW season. But she’s lost weight, changed her diet and is determined to make an impact for Collingwood.

Moana Hope has changed her training and diet ahead of the second AFLW season. Picture: Jay Town

THIS is Moana Hope Mark II.

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

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 enjoying her new VFL Women’s club Melbourne Uni.

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

Moana Hope, who will line up in Saturday night’s State of Origin, has changed her diet and dropped weight. Picture: Jay Town

Hope has been doing boxing, weights, yoga and sprint training and has reduced her 20m sprint time by more than one second 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

Hope admits she struggled in the AFLW this year. Picture: Getty Images

“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 Saturday night’s State of Origin clash, 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.”