The Canberra Capitals will adopt a relentless attitude on the road to the finals and they've got two players desperately waiting in the wings for their chance to shine.
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Canberra coach Paul Goriss says bench duo Alex Delaney and Hannah Kaser are determined to earn more minutes as the Capitals reach the midway point of the WNBL season.
But match-ups will determine whether they get their shot against the Perth Lynx at Cairns Pop-Up Arena on Thursday night.
Delaney and Kaser have been used sparingly this season yet the Capitals have managed to rack up five consecutive wins in a taxing hub environment.
Goriss is keen to inject the pair into the action with the finals creeping closer, adamant they will rise to the task when called upon.
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"We made a statement that everyone is a part of the group, whether they play a minute, zero minutes, or 40 minutes," Goriss said.
"Everyone contributes because everyone is here together. Obviously it would be nice to get them more time than what I've given them.
"They're not necessarily charity minutes, they've got to earn their place. The hardest thing right now has just been match-ups for us, because Alex is a bigger guard, going against some of those quicker guards is not a great match-up for her or for Hannah.
"We've got the depth, it just comes down to match-ups with who we're playing and how they go up against each other one-on-one."
There is little doubt the Capitals mentor will be rapt with his team's standing given they hold the best record in the league at 5-1.
Adelaide are back into action after being forced to quarantine and their return could create a cluster of teams fighting for playoff spots.
That's where the dominant nature of Canberra's wins over the likes of Southside - a 23-point win - and Melbourne, who they beat by 20, comes in handy for the reigning champions.
"I think there is going to be a cluster of teams in that three-four spot between Townsville, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney maybe, Southside. There's going to be a cluster of teams trying to fight for spots," Goriss said.
"It's about winning big and not just getting over the line because you never know what might happen at the end of this hub. You don't want to be left in a situation where it comes down to one win each, and then it comes down to points for and against.
"You just continue to build and get better, and make sure when we do win ... we keep pushing forward. We don't just cruise when we've got a lead."
WNBL
Round three: Thursday, November 26 - Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx at Cairns Pop-Up Arena, 7pm.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
