Paul Goriss' Canberra Capitals grit teeth as stars edge close to WNBL return

Goriss is set to be without four key players in the club's clash with the Townsville Fire at Mackay Stadium, a clash followed by a game against Bendigo on Monday.

Mikaela Ruef is all but certain to miss out after suffering an ankle injury, joining Kelsey Griffin [back], Britt Smart [calf] and Tahlia Tupaea [shoulder] in the club's injury ward.

But the Capitals coach says his side is relishing the chance to try players in new positions, adamant the pressure is off with so many key players stranded courtside.

Marianna Tolo will still be on restricted minutes for game against Townsville, while Keely Froling and Ashley Taia will be catapulted into new roles. But Goriss hopes the Capitals will soon turn the corner.

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"I'd like it to be tomorrow, but that's not going to happen. We're dealt the cards we have and we will continue to play with who is healthy," Goriss said.

"It's hopefully getting closer, in the next three to five days, that we get them back, whether it's all at the same time or we drip feed whoever is free to come back in.

"Hopefully after the Townsville game, I'd say we may be able to get Tahlia or Britt in some minutes. Kelsey is probably still out, maybe she comes back against Melbourne [on Wednesday], that's a maybe.

"It's just a matter of day by day seeing how they feel. Tahlia's shoulder is feeling much better and she's doing contact work. Britt is feeling better with her calf.

"It's just getting load under Britt with her calf, getting Tahlia into contact and making sure she is okay with that, and making sure with Kelsey's back that her hips and hamstring are able to handle the workload."

The Capitals are determined to bounce back yet Goriss concedes his group felt "flat" in the wake of an overtime loss to Adelaide in their season opener.

The Canberra mentor planned Friday's practice to run for 60 to 90 minutes in a bid to ease them back into the groove - instead the playing group were so in tune they hit the two-hour mark.

"They were a bit flat [on Thursday], I think because of the major minutes people had to play and the injuries, and overtime. Today we had a great practice, a great vibe, high energy," Goriss said.

"Those people who are out, when we start adding them back in, the vibe changes when you can actually go five-on-five at practice and do more game-like things. The more we can get Tahlia, Britt and Kelsey on the court scrimmaging with our group, it's going to change our dynamic."

WNBL

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.