Kelsey Griffin setback fuels reignited Canberra Capitals' WNBL bid

Goriss says Griffin is almost certain to miss the Capitals' clash with the high-flying Melbourne Boomers at the National Convention Centre on Friday night.

Even a return on limited minutes against Southside on Sunday would be a stretch as the Capitals await a proper diagnosis on Griffin's right leg injury.

Griffin feared she had torn her hamstring and would miss the remainder of the regular season but she came through training unscathed on Thursday.

Her results from a strength test on match day eve had Griffin's results level with where she was at the start of the season, giving her confidence the mystery injury is "very minor".

Canberra has struggled in Griffin's absence due to a high ankle sprain. Now Goriss hopes her new injury worry can spark the Capitals' young brigade into action.

"They see the amount of work she does both in the gym and on the court, and hopefully that inspires them to want to work a bit harder and do the best thing by Kelsey," Goriss said.

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"The bench girls seeing her fighting her way back and doing everything she can, it inspires them to do a little bit extra on the court and in the gym to make sure they can lift.

"There may be the opportunity she may play against Southside, but that would be a stretch. My preference would be to hold her out until next week to build her up with some more training under her belt to make sure her hamstring is alright."

Griffin met with a physiotherapist on Thursday morning with the intention of putting her best case forward for a return to play.

The 32-year-old admits it has been "very tough" watching from the sidelines.

"I'd struggle to even call it a hamstring [injury] because I don't know what if that's truly what it is," Griffin said.

"I don't know if it's muscular, neural, fascial, or if it was more of a 'hey, we haven't done this in a while, what's going on?' I'm very hopeful, whatever it is, it's very minor.

"I just want to do everything within my power to get back on the court and this is the time to do it."

But she will miss a clash with the side Goriss labels "the form team of the competition".

"Probably out of everyone in the league, they've got the most depth. They're bringing on their New Zealand internationals off the bench," Goriss said.

"They've got size, they've got depth and they've got the talent to really be a contender for the championship. It's a good test for us to see where we're at so close to the finals."

WNBL ROUND 14

Friday: Canberra Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at National Convention Centre, 7pm. Tickets from Ticketek.