Former AFLW star Moana Hope is eyeing a comeback as she embarks on motherhood

As she awaits the birth of her first child, with her wife, Isabella Carlstrom, Moana Hope is back in full training with an eye on an AFLW comeback. But the former footy star also has other plans for the future. The former AFLW star, who played with Collingwood and North Melbourne, is still passionate about the game she walked away from last year. Hope’s wife Isabella Carlstrom is pregnant with the couple’s first child and is due in November. “I miss playing footy,’’ Hope said. “I am actually training like a maniac at the moment. Working my backside off to get fit. “It just comes down to mentally how I feel and also if I speak to the right clubs that fit and understand what I’m going through.” Hope and Carlstrom went through IVF with a sperm donor to fulfil their dream of becoming parents. Hope wants to carry their next child. “I’ll probably want to get pregnant next year, so it might be after the AFLW season,’’ Hope said. “I spoke to a couple of teams last year before I pulled out and there were teams that were interested. I just want to train really hard, work really hard and if I get to the draft, feel mentally OK. “I’m getting through all the stuff I mentally went through with a person and if I get to the draft and I’m ready to go mentally, I’ll be good to go. I’m physically good to go, I know how to kick a footy like no tomorrow, so it’s just being mentally ready.” Hope and Carlstrom admit they have both been in tears at stages during these uncertain times. They have already set up the nursery at home for their new arrival. Survivor star Hope was one of 14 children and cares for her sister Vinny. “The funny thing is the way I grew up, I didn’t even know what a nursery was,’’ Hope said. “I didn’t even know a baby had its own room because I shared a bedroom with 10 other kids so I didn’t even know a nursery was a thing. “Belle said we have to have a nursery and I’ve become so obsessed with it, but it’s done, just want to get a bit of artwork. It looks beautiful and it’s a really nice feeling to put something like that together.” Carlstrom, who suffered from headaches and exhaustion in the first 16 weeks, said they were ready for parenthood. “Finally I’m looking like I don’t just have a beer belly,’’ Carlstrom said. “Mo is queen of the kids, she’s unbelievable. She’s my secret weapon. “We are just so excited. We are being terrible at waiting, I just want my baby here already.” Hope added: “I just think we have so much love to give. We want to be everything that we are — which is open, loving, accepting, encouraging. And there’s no limit to what you can achieve regardless if it’s a boy and girl.” MORE CONFIDENTIAL jackie.epstein@news.com.au