Mikaela Ruef's Canberra Capitals bracing for a chemistry test in WNBL hub

Supposedly they don't count, or at least they don't mean as much, because competitions have been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus pandemic.

Some leagues have been drastically revamped - think Super Rugby, splitting its globetrotting competition into domestic tournaments. The AFL has been played in hubs with Victorian clubs moved out of their home state. The New Zealand Warriors were forced out of their home country during their NRL campaign. The NBA and WNBA seasons were finished in hubs.

Try telling any of the eight WNBL clubs preparing to relocate to Queensland it won't mean as much when they win a title this season, just because the season will be run and won in less than seven weeks.

The Canberra Capitals believe this season will be a true test of character as they eye their third on the trot, with 14 regular season games to be crammed into a month before the finals.

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Which is why coach Paul Goriss' inclination to recruit players based on their personality as much as their talent could pay off in spades.

"That's huge, especially for this season. We're going to be with each other every day for a month, basically," Capitals forward Mikaela Ruef said.

"Having that good chemistry on and off the court will be really helpful for our team, not only to help us win games but just to stick together throughout the entire thing.

"It's going to be a game almost every other day, so we're going to have to really focus on our recovery and taking care of our bodies. Everybody is prepared to do that and wants to do that.

"We're going to need a lot of contributions from a lot of people, because not everyone is going to be able to play 40 minutes every other day. Our entire team is going to have to be able to play and contribute on the floor.

"It'll have its challenges, but our team is going to think positively about it and go into it with a good attitude. It'll be a really fun season, it's exciting."

Ruef is set to end a long wait when she makes her WNBL return for the Capitals. She was signed to the club last season before delays in her citizenship paperwork saw her take up an opportunity overseas.

Perhaps few were as grateful as Ruef when Basketball Australia officials committed to plans for a Queensland hub, which will run from November 12 to December 20, to end months of uncertainty.

"It was a bit stressful, but I always thought they would pull it together. All of the girls wanted to play, all of the clubs wanted to play. It's exciting, we're just excited to be able to have a season," Ruef said.

"Last year I was here training and watching the team be successful on the floor. I really wanted to get back to play.

"This year when my residency came through and I realised I was finally able to play, I was really excited."