Canberra Capitals gun Keely Froling determined to shine in WNBL start

Froling has been so desperate for minutes that she caught up with coach Paul Goriss earlier this season hunting for more.

She had shuffled back to the bench following Marianna Tolo's return from injury and admits for a little while she struggled to make the adjustment.

Then she went looking for answers following a short stint against Perth and the directive was simple: keep working and the chance will come.

They don't come much bigger than the one Froling has been presented with a high ankle sprain set to sideline co-captain Kelsey Griffin for up to six weeks.

Froling will return to Canberra's starting five for a clash with the Bendigo Spirit at the National Convention Centre on Saturday.

It looms as a chance for the 23-year-old Queensland product to prove herself alongside a trio of international stars and a point guard tipped as an Opal-in-waiting.

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"It's pretty tough in my position with who plays ahead of me, they're either Olympians and WNBA All-Stars," Froling said.

"[Goriss and I] always talk about that stuff. For me it's just about coming on and making sure I do what I do, so that's rebounding and playing defence, and getting those scores.

"I have to be able to go out there and play hard and make sure I'm really switched on.

"Obviously I started at the start of the year and I have been playing 20 minutes a game anyway, I know my role in this team and I know I can provide a good spark in that starting line-up.

"I'm excited for the opportunity, obviously it sucks how it came about but for me it's a good opportunity, especially rolling into finals.

"I'm really looking forward to starting again and getting my feet under me in those first couple of minutes."

The only other member of Canberra's starting side to have not tasted the international arena is Maddison Rocci.

Froling and Rocci first joined forces at the Capitals in 2017-18, a season remembered for a late flurry of wins that lifted Canberra off the canvas following a 13-game losing streak.

Both youngsters had shown plenty of promise that season and continued their stellar rise a year later in Canberra's drought-breaking championship win.

Now they are starters who have come on in "leaps and bounds" looking to close the gap between the second-placed Capitals and the ladder-leading Southside Flyers.

"It has been such a great environment and such a great team," Froling said.

"We're so professional as a team, and that goes to the off-court stuff with food, nutritionists, our strength and conditioning people are awesome.

"It's not something you really get in most WNBL clubs so it just really fits together perfectly.

"To have players like Kelsey and Tolo, and those players who are such veterans and so experienced who really want to teach you and want you to succeed is something you don't really get anywhere else, and that's awesome.

"You always learn just playing against them with little tips and tricks, and they help you out on top of that too.

"It has just been the perfect environment for us to come on in leaps and bounds and improve our game. Hopefully we can continue on that trajectory."

WNBL ROUND 10

Saturday: Canberra Capitals v Bendigo Spirit at National Convention Centre, 5pm. Tickets from Ticketek.