AFLW star Moana Hope reveals huge family news following ‘split’ from Maria Thattil: ‘Meet the newest addition’

Former AFLW star Moana Hope has welcomed a new family member.

The 36-year-old footy champion took to social media on Thursday to share an adorable photo of a Cavoodle puppy.

In the photo, Maria sat in the driver’s seat of a car while cradling the little dog.

Moana told followers in the caption that the new pet was named Stella and was chosen by her children Svea, three, and son Ahi, two.

“If you’re not a dog person, keep scrolling,” Moana joked in the post.

She then continued, “Everyone else, meet the newest addition to our family, Stella. She’s a Cavoodle and she was chosen and named by my damn adorable kids.”

It comes after Moana and partner Maria Thattil have been at the center of rumors for months.

Last month, a popular gossip site speculated that the women have split after Moana stopped appearing in Maria’s social media posts.

A follower asked Instagram page Influencer Updates if the couple had split, and the site replied: “I think so.”

“I was hoping Moana was just missing from Maria’s social media because Moana was busy with I’m A Celeb… but it looks like Moana is posting at home this weekend,” she added.

In images posted to Instagram and Instagram Stories this week, Moana has indeed been home.

The informal messages appear to quell rumors that she may be starring in the reality series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Australia.

Moana last appeared in a post on Maria’s Instagram in November, while Moana Maria last posted in September.

Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Maria Thattil and Moana Hope for comment.

In June, Maria praised the ‘love of her life’ as she gave a rare insight into their relationship.

The ex-Miss Universe Australia, 31, started dating Moana late last year and the couple even teased an engagement.

They generally keep their romance relatively secret, but Maria shared some rare comments about her friend on the Jess Rowe Big Talk Show podcast.

She told host Jessica Rowe that her relationship with Moana is different from previous romances and described her as the “love of her life.”

“It’s amazing and challenging, and it’s making me grow in ways I’ve never experienced before,” said Maria, who recently made her Neighbors debut as Amira Devkar.

‘In the past, I thought that if I wanted a career, to be the person I thought I should be, I had to sacrifice everything else. But here I am with real love in my life. With someone I love very much.’

Maria, who made her red carpet debut with Moana last September, said she felt content in their relationship and discussed how they navigate life with Moana’s children.

Sportswoman Moana shares children Svea, three, and Ahi, one, with her ex-wife Isabella Carlstrom, who she split from in June last year after six years together.

About their family dynamic, Maria explained, “She is [Moana’s] I have children, and it’s this whole other side of me that I didn’t know.

“And I’m learning now and I’m on that journey. I can have all these things, and it doesn’t take anything away.

‘Because I deserve it. I deserve love and I am enough. And it’s okay that I make room for this.’

Although the couple often appeared in public together, they rarely commented on their budding romance.

In March, Maria said that while she is open about her romance with Moana, there are some things she prefers to keep private to protect her growing relationship.

“Something I’ve learned is the importance of protecting certain parts of your life and keeping something sacred,” she told Stellar Magazine.

“In this digital world we live in, strangers feel entitled to you; sometimes they can have parasocial relationships where they feel entitled to ask me things.

‘I always think to myself, these people would never walk up to you on the street and just ask you these things to your face. And I feel like I don’t want that unnecessary pressure.”

The couple had been dating for several months and had moved in together and Moana hinted last November that she will propose to Maria soon.

Posting a series of images to Instagram of the pair getting glamorous for their night out at the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards, the pair appeared smitten.

In one photo, Moana even looked like she was about to get down on her knees and pop the question.

In the comments section, fans noted the romantic vibe of the images, with one person asking: “How do I get tickets to the wedding?”

Moana quickly responded to the curious follower, “Watch this space!”, along with a laughing emoji.