Maddison Rocci ready to rise to the challenge in Canberra Capitals' WNBL tilt

The Canberra Capitals guard is part of an Opals squad with an eye on the Tokyo Olympic Games, and this season has to help fill the void left by international sensation Olivia Epoupa.

But that's the thing - Rocci isn't feeling the heat. Instead the 22-year-old is staying true to what got her to where she is today, a two-time WNBL champion.

Capitals coach Paul Goriss has backed Rocci to shine as she prepares to take on a bigger role when the club enters a Queensland hub in search of a third successive title.

"I've spoken to Gorrie about this when we've had our individual meetings. What I've done over the past couple of years I'll take into this season going forward," Rocci said.

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"I'll have an even bigger role this season, but obviously knowing I'm basically here for my defence, with that defensive pressure but having that ability to score when necessary.

"When I spoke to him it was always about defence and getting up and in. I do enjoy doing that in this league and playing at that level. Maintaining that defensive pressure will be what I'm looking for in this WNBL season.

"I was really excited to be a part of that Opals squad. Going forward I'm not going to look at it like 'I'm in the Opals squad so I've got to perform this season'.

"I'm just going to do everything possible for the team and hopefully get the result we want to get this season."

The Capitals will have to do it without Epoupa and Kia Nurse, who won the league's most valuable player award last season, with no imports on deck in the WNBL this year.

Rocci concedes they leave big shoes to fill, yet she remains confident Canberra can plug the gaps after adding Mikaela Ruef, Britt Smart and Tahlia Tupaea to their championship-winning squad.

They will need to utilise every piece of that roster ahead of a hectic season which will see all eight clubs converge on north Queensland.

The season will be run and won in less than six weeks with games played in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay, starting on November 12 before culminating with a one-off grand final December 20.

"Just maintaining our bodies is going to be the most important part of it all, and that recovery process we have to go through for every single game." Rocci said.

"Obviously there are going to be games we're going to have to play back to back or there are going to be times we have a couple of days off. Making sure we get that recovery is going to be super important for us as a team.

"I'm actually super excited to go to Queensland and play up there. Obviously it's going to be difficult at times with the schedule we're probably going to have but as a group we stick together pretty well.

"The culture we have will help us with this season going forward."