Collingwood could recall Moana Hope next week, provided the marquee AFLW player shows she can be more than "the bear in the square".
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Magpies coach Wayne Siekman and assistant Daniel Harford said Hope must show more versatility in her game.
Hope was dropped for Saturday's landmark match against Fremantle at the new Optus Stadium in Perth after she only managed six disposals against Carlton in round one.
Along with Melbourne captain Daisy Pearce, Hope has the biggest profile in the women's league.
But after struggling for form as a key forward in the inaugural season, Hope shed weight and worked on a midfield role during the pre-season.
The Magpies are preaching player versatility and Harford said Hope must show more in her game.
"You've got to perform at this level," Harford told RSN.
"She's got to adapt to the game. The bear in the square is not going to last in AFLW.
"You got to have more to your bow."
Siekman said Hope took news of her axing on the chin.
"She was a complete professional about it - obviously disappointed and upset - but full credit to her," he said.
"Last night, she trained really well after being told the news."
While the AFLW season is short and there is no state league, Siekman said Hope and fellow omission Sarah Dargan would have plenty of opportunity at training to stake their claims for senior recall.
Siekman said match simulation was a regular feature of their training sessions.
"She (Hope) doesn't have to reinvent her game, she just has to get the confidence up, the same with everyone else not in the team,"' Siekman said.
"They need to train well, get some form and opportunities will come up.
"I hope she trains the house down next week and puts her hand up to be selected next week, because that's showing the strength of our squad."
Siekman added that with the increase to 30 players on each AFLW list, there is a lot more competition for senior spots.
"It doesn't matter who you are. If you're not performing, you'll be out of the side pretty quickly," he said.
"So it's a good message for our football club and shows you the strength of our team.
"All we want is for every player to be versatile."
Hope and Dargan will be joined on the sidelines by Sarah D'Arcy, who is serving a two-match ban for kicking Carlton's Sarah Hosking in the groin.
The Dockers' Lara Filocamo has been called back into the 21 after defender Brianna Green withdrew on Friday because of injury.