The Canberra Capitals are on the verge of finalising the last piece of their WNBL puzzle before launching their bid to end a six year finals drought.
The Capitals are set to sign the last player for their roster in the coming weeks when coach Paul Goriss returns from his duties with the Australian Opals in India.
The club is confident it has built a rising squad capable of earning a play-off spot for the first time since 2011 and they will begin a condensed campaign with a home-court double-header in October.
The WNBL published a rejigged draw on Wednesday, with the Capitals to host 10 home games at their new National Convention Centre base.
Capitals general manager Matthew Phelps said the University of Canberra-based club was putting the finishing touches on a new $250,000 court to create a better atmosphere at home games.
Goriss has been piecing together his team after the bulk of his squad from last season were lured to Europe by rich teams, while skipper Carly Wilson retired.
Goriss will call on rising young guns as well as Olympian Rachel Jarry and veteran point guard Nat Hurst to lead a new-look team.
"I'm extremely happy with the squad we've got," Phelps said.
"We had a plan when we started recruiting. We wanted experience, but we also wanted to recruit the best young talent in Australia.
"I'm pretty comfortable we've achieved that plan. The challenge for us is how will this brand-new squad gel? It might take some time, but it's going to be a strong group."
Abbey Wehrung, Keely Froling and Kate Gaze are the only returning players from last season, while Jarry and Hurst will add valuable experience.
The Capitals have also recruited Opals-in-waiting Lauren Scherf and Eziyoda Magbegor and WNBA import Jordan Hooper.
The Capitals start their season against the Bendigo Spirit at the Convention Centre on October 6 and back up two days later against the Adelaide Lightning.
There will be a month-long break between home games from November 4 to December 9, but a change in WNBL structure will see the regular season finish on December 29.
The Capitals will test new water by playing three home games from December 17-29 during the Christmas period, and it is hoped the league's new broadcast deal with Fox Sports will spark greater interest.
"I think the 10 home games we've got in Canberra are good for our fans and good for the Convention Centre," Phelps said.
"The floor has been laid at the Convention Centre and we're still finalising some small things, but it's coming together.
"We think starting on a Friday night and then having a Sunday game, hopefully we can capitalise on a big weekend in Canberra for Floriade and get the season started with a couple of wins."
CANBERRA CAPITALS WNBL DRAW
October 6: Capitals v Bendigo Spirit at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
October 8: Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at National Convention Centre, 3pm
October 13: Townsville Fire v Capitals at Townsville, 7pm.
October 15: Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
October 22: Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
October 25: Adelaide Lightning v Capitals at Adelaide, 7pm.
October 27: Capitals v Townsville Fire at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
November 2: Sydney Flames v Capitals at Sydney, 7pm.
November 4: Capitals v Sydney Flames at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
November 11: Perth Lynx v Capitals at Perth, 9.30pm.
November 18: Melbourne Boomers v Capitals at Melbourne, 3pm.
November 25: Capitals v Bendigo Spirit at Melbourne, 5pm.
November 30: Perth Lynx v Capitals at Perth, 9.30pm.
December 2: Melbourne Boomers v Capitals at Melbourne, 7.30pm.
December 7: Capitals v Sydney Flames at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
December 9: Dandenong Rangers v Capitals at Dandenong, 7pm.
December 14: Bendigo Spirit v Capitals at Bendigo, 7pm.
December 17: Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
December 21: Capitals v Townsville at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
December 23: Dandenong Rangers v Capitals at Dandenong, 6.30pm.
December 29: Capitals v Perth Lynx at National Convention Centre, 7.30pm.
