A NUMBER of teams throughout the WNBL have made major signings to upgrade their squads, but the two-time defending champion University of Canberra Capitals have done the opposite, with the exception of replacing imports and filling up the secondary unit.

There is a reason that Capitals’ head coach Paul Goriss has kept most of his core unit the same – that is because Canberra remain the “big kids on the playground”. Despite teams like Melbourne Boomers, Southside Flyers and Townsville Fire looking like heavy favourites for next season, a level of respect needs to be owed to the nine-time WNBL champions and that is what Draft Central will look at in this edition of WNBL20 team previews.

Canberra’s backbone of their roster, Kelsey Griffin and Marianna Tolo have long been known as the most knowledgeable and most skilled frontcourt-duo in recent WNBL history. Signifying the durability and consistency of both, the combo is set to be a reliable contributor on the boards for yet another campaign. Griffin, who missed out on a chunk of last season due to injury, still managed 15 points, 10.8 rebounds and over two assists per game in her litany of solid performances. Meanwhile, more of the same came from Tolo, accounting for 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and two assists of her team’s stats each game during the same stretch of time.

The depth of his frontcourt was a major focus point for Goriss leading up to the next six weeks, and it took a major dive when citizenship status complications arose for Mikaela Ruef prior to the start of last season. But these issues have since been resolved, as Ruef is ready to ball after an impressive campaign in the Queensland State League (QSL), averaging 22.9 points and 18.8 rebounds with the Logan Thunder. Backing her up is Keely Froling, who was a crucial piece to the Caps’ rotation following Griffin’s injury last season. Putting up averages of 12.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, she rounds out an impressive collection of forwards for Canberra.

Another individual that showed up to the QSL season was Maddison Rocci, with the newly nominated Australian Opal leading the competition in scoring with USC Rip City, averaging 32.5 points per game. In addition to these numbers, the 22-year-old continues to increase her production in the WNBL, thus making her a must-see guard that is rising through the ranks with a noticeable confidence in her game. Consolidating Goriss’ main weapons is the newly signed Flames guard, Tahlia Tupaea, who embodies a unique presence whenever she steps on the floor. Unquestionably one of the strongest guards across all eight sides, Goriss noted in his interview with Draft Central how much he dreaded facing Tupaea over the course of last season.

Adding to the team’s familiarity are two re-signings that occurred during Canberra’s Free Agency signing blitz, in Alex Delaney and Abby Cubillo, who provided the side valuable aid off the bench in gaining their latest WNBL title. Furthermore, the Capitals employed the services of Hannah Kaser, who replaces Gemma Potter due to NCAA obligations, and 35-year-old veteran Brittany Smart from Sydney, who adds a cluster of experience to the original 10-player unit.

The Capitals-faithful learned on Tuesday what their full roster would look like following the club’s announcement of their two Development Players, Ashley Taia and Jade Melbourne. Taia averaged 11.5 points per game alongside Ruef for the Logan Thunder, whereas Melbourne sits as a promising young prospect, currently a scholarship holder at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

Season Opener for the University of Canberra Capitals – Wednesday November 11th – 6:00pm (AEDT) vs Adelaide Lightning @ McDonald’s Mackay Multi-Sports Stadium, Mackay