How Carrie Graf and the Canberra Capitals lured the Opals back to Canberra

Now Canberra Capitals chiefs hope the next step is a packed AIS Arena with a long-term vision for more Opals games on home soil.

The Opals will play at the AIS Arena for the first time in six years when they face China on September 19 - a rare occurrence given home games are few and far between for Australia.

The one-off FIBA Asia Cup tune-up would not have come to fruition if not for a "serendipitous opportunity" capitalised on by University of Canberra's director of sport Carrie Graf.

A chat with Capitals coach and Opals assistant Paul Goriss and star player Marianna Tolo got the ball rolling.

Graf knew the Opals have a training camp scheduled in Canberra. She knew China are coming down under in search of scrimmages with WNBL sides.

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"It was an opportunity we felt was too good not to take on," Graf said.

"We presented it to Basketball Australia, they thought it was a wonderful idea and here we are.

"There was 3500 people six years ago. We'd like to think we could get a sell-out at the Arena. We had two sell-outs for the WNBL championship series that were successful.

"To see that again for the Opals would be huge. It's a pretty rare opportunity as an Opals player or coach you get to do that in your home country and in your home city."

The return of the Opals could be a strategic masterstroke for Capitals officials as they look to capitalise on the 4817 that witnessed their WNBL championship victory at the AIS in February.

But the move goes beyond the Capitals' season opener against the Adelaide Lightning in October as Graf looks to turn Canberra into a regular home for the Opals.

The importance of a packed house cannot be understated.

"Absolutely, it certainly helps," Graf said.

"It means next time there are international games coming to Australia, Basketball Australia will see the city can host international events and support them well.

"Sell-out crowds are great to be a part of, they look great on television and they speak to this city's ability to put on international sporting events."

Opals centre Tolo knows the effect of a packed house at the AIS Arena, so too the thrill of representing her country on home soil.

"It's such a special and unique memory. There's not many opportunities to represent Australia in your home country," Tolo said.

"The Arena has an awesome atmosphere, I've always loved playing there, it will be extra special pulling on the Australian uniform and doing so."

Tolo is on the comeback trail from minor foot surgery and her inclusion is a huge boost for an Opals outfit basketball great Lauren Jackson says is "capable of great things".

That goes beyond the Asia Cup to an even bigger tournament on the horizon - the 2020 Olympic Games.

"They're capable of gold, there is no doubt about it," Jackson said.

"With Lizzie [Cambage] in the line-up, those girls have got every opportunity to win gold medals. With the likes of Tolo and Leilani Mitchell, they've got great players. Sandy Brondello is a good coach.

"They are capable of anything."