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COLLINGWOOD’S marquee signing in the forthcoming women’s league, Moana Hope, is closing in on a slice of football history.
Barring injury or suspension, she is set to become the first player to kick 100 goals in VFL Women's.
Hope, who will be one of the faces of Pies’ team in the first year of the new women’s league, has kicked 89 goals, with two home-and-away rounds remaining and the finals series.
It's possible the St Kilda Sharks forward will reach the century in her last home game, against Cranbourne on Sunday. She booted 11 goals when the clubs last met in round eight.
Hope moved within reach of the century when she booted 10 goals in the Sharks' win against bottom team Knox last weekend.
It was the fourth time the experienced forward has kicked 10 or more goals in a game. Her best return was 16 (against Knox in round seven) and she's averaging 5.5 goals per game.
"It's an outstanding effort. Even when she's not kicking goals, she's presenting and leading and giving off goals. She kicked 10, but I reckon she was involved in six or seven others," Sharks coach Shaun Smith said.
"The team is aware it (the century) is approaching and, obviously, you don't want to make it about one person. If we play the way we want to play, ‘Mo’ will get the goals.
"Not only is it a superb individual achievement, but it would be great for St Kilda, especially (heading) into a finals series."
Smith understands the pressure and expectations on his gun goalkicker as a high-leaping forward in 109 games with North Melbourne and Melbourne from 1987-98. His career was highlighted by a spectacular jump and grab in the Gabba goalsquare that earned him the 1995 mark of the year.
He described Hope as primarily a leading forward who can also take a contested mark.
"She has a really strong body, reads the play well and has great experience. And she's pretty hard at it, without going over the top," Smith said.
"She just competes and her presence on the ground is a bonus for us because, obviously, she creates terror for an opposition. If we can isolate her one-out with an opponent in the goalsquare, that helps as well."
Hope has been goalless in only one of 16 home and away games, a draw on an almost unplayable heavy ground at Melbourne University in mid-season.
The third-placed Sharks are level on points with Melbourne University (second) and locked in a battle for the finals double chance.
Western Bulldogs marquee pick Katie Brennan, who plays with ladder-leaders Darebin Falcons, is second on the VFL goalkicking list with 65.
