Under-pressure Collingwood marquee Moana Hope finally showed fans why she was held in such high regard pre-season, as she kicked two goals and set up a couple more in the Pies' big win over GWS on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Coach Wayne Siekman said Hope had trained well during the week - at the Pies' home ground, Olympic Park Oval, where he said his side could have won more games had they been allowed to play there more often.
"She's been training here, kicking goals here, the No.1 defender goes to her each week so I put more work into her than anyone else," he said.
Hope suffered some right knee soreness after a pre-season training mishap and on Sunday again had it heavily strapped.
But Siekman said once the doctors checked it each Monday and said she was fit to train there were "no excuses".
Siekman said there was no doubt his team had been disadvantaged by the AFL's decision to move the season opener against Carlton and their round two match against Melbourne to Ikon Park, which with a 24,000 capacity could better accommodate bumper crowds.
He said Collingwood had agreed to move their home matches to Ikon Park for the good of women's football.
"Certainly we want to play here, we train here," he said.
"But the AFL is doing a great job and it's about publicity, it's about creating the interest for the supporters.
"These girls in five years want to be full time, so we'll do anything the AFL wants us to do because we want this to grow, become full time, give [the players] more money as soon as possible."
Siekman said his team had been unlucky not to beat Brisbane in round three and from there had gained momentum week to week.
"They were comfortable, they were relaxed, they knew what to do," he said.
"In women's footy there are all these new grounds we hadn't played on, they're bigger and wider and longer, it maybe played with them a little bit."
The Pies continued their late-season surge on Sunday, beating a lacklustre GWS by 36 points.
Undefeated Brisbane are certain grand finalists and will most likely play either Adelaide or Melbourne in the season decider, but Siekman pointed out Collingwood still had a "mathematical possibility" of making the big match.
He said if Fremantle beat Melbourne next week and Collingwood had a high-scoring win over Adelaide, the Pies were still in with a chance at the grand final.
Fans could expect an all out attack from Collingwood if they had a chance to make the final.
"If we get the opportunity next week and Freo do beat Melbourne, we're not here to run third, we may as well run fifth," Siekman said.
Collingwood captain Stephanie Chiocci was dynamic through the centre in probably her best match of the season.
She said it was a little disappointing that Collingwood was peaking later in the season, but the Pies were starting to trust that the structures they had put in place were working.
"The girls are starting to trust each other and it's really showing on the field," she said.
