Smart money: Why Britt Smart thinks the Canberra Capitals can thrive in WNBL season

Chemistry she hasn't felt in a long time. Energy bouncing off the walls. A team ready to compete. A reason to believe the Canberra Capitals can be champions again.

The Capitals open their WNBL campaign against the Sydney Flames in Homebush on Sunday. Paul Goriss' side lost some star power but enters with champions of years gone by and an import who promises to be a fan favourite.

It's what goes on behind closed doors that makes Smart think the Capitals have what it takes.

"It's our vibes in training. We actually look forward to training, we're not dreading it. There is this chemistry that I haven't felt in a while," Smart said.

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"That's happening in a pre-season, when it's long and boring, and you're going hard directly at each other as opponents, it can be pretty tough.

"We've competed but we've been able to help each other grow because we all know is for a greater good and a bigger cause, and that is to bring that togetherness against the teams starting with Sydney on Sunday."

How will they do it, you ask?

Spend one minute watching Capitals practice and you'll see the competitive streak come out in Brittney Sykes.

The 27-year-old was a defensive player of the year candidate in the WNBA. At 5-foot-9, Sykes is a human highlight reel with a wingspan that makes her swat away shots with ease and lifts crowds to their feet.

"Britt Sykes really just picks up the missing pieces we didn't have without her," Smart said.

"That energy, that competitiveness, that willingness to compete and work hard during training when no one is watching. Our whole team is embracing that and following suit."

You could scour the globe and still struggle to find someone to fill Marianna Tolo's shoes following her exit. Maddison Rocci and Keely Froling left.

It's enough to give any coach nightmares but Goriss won't be pushing the panic button. Instead, he rewrote the playbook, and Smart says they could be better for it.

"We're definitely going to miss them but I do think Goz has done a good job with recruiting with new people coming in. There are still a few mainstays that are going to be able to provide versatility," Smart said.

"That's a good mix to be able to put your stamp on the league or be able to play a big game, play a small game. Any style the other team has, we actually have this versatility of these hybrid players being able to play multiple positions. That's going to be tough to guard and tough to scout."

Jade Melbourne has wasted little time in emerging as one of Australian basketball's brightest talents.

Now she's back with an Opals call-up to her name, while young gun Gemma Potter is poised to make her WNBL return in early 2022 as she continues on the comeback trail from an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

"We really have that good mix of the young ones and the vets, and even people coming back like Alex Bunton. There's a good recipe for the season," Smart said.

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