Maddison Rocci and the Canberra Capitals hit the road for WNBL campaign

It mightn't seem like much at first glance, but inside rests a prize seven rival teams are desperate to steal from Canberra's grasp - the WNBL championship trophy.

The Capitals have touched down in Queensland as they prepare to enter the WNBL hub on the road to their season opener against Adelaide in Mackay on Wednesday.

A sense of excitement hovered over the group as they crammed their bags into the back of a ute and club-branded cars before being farewelled at Canberra Airport on Friday afternoon.

Packing had been easy for some. Capitals guard Maddison Rocci has only had a short stint in Canberra after finishing her Queensland Basketball League campaign.

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"It probably wasn't as frantic for me, because I lived out of two suitcases and didn't unpack everything because I knew I was leaving again," Rocci said.

"Watching [Marianna] Tolo pack, she was very frantic. All of the other girls had to pack up things. I think we've got everything.

"It reminds me of when you go to play a state championship, but it's just a few weeks longer.

"The lead up to this was counting down the days and the weeks. Now that it's here it feels a bit weird to be leaving the capital to play in another state. We're excited to get there and do what we can do, but to leave our fans behind is super sad.

"It's exciting, we've done the hard work in that small pre-season work we had. To be able to get on the road now and get everything together and play that first game on Wednesday is super exciting for us all."

But the road ahead is one of the toughest for any WNBL side in history with all teams set to play 14 regular season games inside 31 days before the top four enter the finals series.

If the Capitals are to load the championship trophy back into its bag for the flight home after the December 20 grand final, it will take more than the 12 players on the roster.

Capitals coach Paul Goriss will be joined by assistant Kristen Veal, a physiotherapist, as well as strength and conditioning and recovery staff to manage players who will at times have to front up for matches on consecutive days.

The club have massage therapists booked in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay, where all matches will be played throughout the condensed season. Club bosses have already invested in two massage guns and two pairs of recovery boots.

"The support crew we have coming is going to be a big advantage for us. Having those people alongside us throughout the whole season will be really interesting and good for us," Rocci said.

"Our bench is going to have to up and about, we're going to have some fans there with Tolo's family and some other families. We're going to have to do our bit and be as loud as we can.

"We always talk about how tight we are as a group on and off the floor, and obviously we have a few players returning from last year. The girls that are new this year have fit right into our culture and the way we go about things on and off the court.

"Living in each other's pockets, obviously you've got to have time to yourself and respect each other's privacy. But obviously you're going to have a lot of time when you're together as a team.

"Going into a hub is obviously a new challenge for everybody. If we can get through this, who knows what we can get through in the end?"

CANBERRA CAPITALS 2020 FIXTURE

All times in AEDT.

Round one: Wednesday, November 11 - Adelaide Lightning v Canberra Capitals at Mackay Stadium, 6pm.

Round one: Sunday, November 15 - Canberra Capitals v Townsville Fire at Mackay Stadium, 8pm.

Round two: Monday, November 16 - Canberra Capitals v Bendigo Spirit at Mackay Stadium, 6pm.

Round two: Wednesday, November 18 - Melbourne Boomers v Canberra Capitals at Mackay Stadium, 6pm.

Round two: Saturday, November 21 - Sydney Flames v Canberra Capitals at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 9.30pm

Round three: Monday, November 23 - Southside Flyers v Canberra Capitals at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 6pm.

Round three: Wednesday, November 25 - Canberra Capitals v Sydney Flames at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 6pm.

Round three: Thursday, November 26 - Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 7pm.

Round three: Saturday, November 28 - Bendigo Spirit v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, 7.30pm.

Round four: Tuesday, December 1 - Canberra Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at Townsville Stadium, 5pm.

Round four: Friday, December 4 - Canberra Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at Townsville Stadium, 6pm.

Round four: Sunday, December 6 - Townsville Fire v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, 6pm.

Round five: Thursday, December 10 - Perth Lynx v Canberra Capitals at Townsville Stadium, 7pm.

Round five: Saturday, December 12 - Canberra Capitals v Southside Flyers at Townsville, 5pm.