Collingwood record third-straight victory of AFLW season with big win over GWS Giants

COLLINGWOOD’s Moana Hope played her best game for the season in the Magpies’ thumping of the Giants and she says that’s just a taste of what she’s capable of producing.

COLLINGWOOD pin up Moana Hope says her exciting performance at Olympic Park on Sunday is just a taste of what she’s capable of after a frustrating AFLW debut season.

Hope kicked 2.4 and set up several other goals as the Magpies posted the biggest score in AFLW’s short history – 7.13. 55 - to defeat GWS 3.1.19.

Clearly hampered by a heavily strapped right knee, an issue she’s been carrying since an incident during an inside training session during pre-season, Hope said it had been a frustrating season.

“I don’t think I’ve had the chance to play my game of football, (to) play anywhere near what I’m capable of and that is due to reasons out of my control,” Hope said.

“I think as long as I’m building personally and the team’s building, that’s all I can ask for.

“ … We’re starting to put it together at the end of the season, which is a shame, but it’s really good to watch.”

Moana Hope played her best game for the season. Picture: Getty

Plastered in white zinc, wearing a headband to keep her bleached blonde hair in check and bright orange boots, Hope was hard to miss from the first ball up and when GWS defender Claire Lawton went to her.

Hope presented well early but her best play came in the second term when she took a strong contested mark over Lawton on the wing and while Lawton was appealing to the umpire saying the ball was touched, Hope was off. She took two bounces running into the forward 50 before centring the ball to Jasmine Garner who fumbled the mark but goaled.

Hope looked lively and likely for the remainder of the match. Her two goals came after marks where she took the right option, when her opponents flew, she stayed down.

She managed to keep her feet when others fell and teamed superbly with Garner and Jess Cameron in attack.

“I’m able to do that run when the mids are able to deliver it and then I’m able to take those marks when other girls are blocking for me, it’s just a team effort,” she said.

“When we’re on, we’re on.”

Hope has been criticised for her performances this season, which until Sunday, had been underwhelming.

“There so many positives in the competition … all these players around the country that are doing magnificent things for women’s football … there’s no need to write negative things especially when you don’t know the full extent of what’s actually going on,” Hope said.

The Pies, led by captain Steph Chiocci, were far too good for the Giants. Picture: Getty

“But that comes with it I guess.”

It was Collingwood’s first home game of the season after their earlier matches were moved to Ikon Park to cater for crowds and coach Wayne Siekman said the shifts had been to the detriment of his side’s win-loss ratio.

Collingwood has now won three consecutive matches after starting the season 0-3.

It would take a miracle for the Magpies to make the March 25 Grand Final, but if Fremantle defeat Melbourne and Collingwood hand second-placed Adelaide a belting next week, it’s a possibility.

Originally published as Collingwood record third-straight victory of AFLW season with big win over GWS Giants