An unplanned six-hour layover in Brisbane has derailed the Canberra Capitals' preparations ahead of a clash with one of the WNBL's heavyweights.
The Capitals knew they were facing a hectic road trip this week but spending six hours stranded at Brisbane airport on Saturday was never on the agenda.
The Capitals were on their way home from Townsville but a flight cancellation that a travel agent forgot to tell them about threw a spanner in the works.
Instead of spending one hour in the Queensland capital, they spent six - and weren't due to arrive back in Canberra until 9pm on Saturday night.
It's far from the ideal preparation ahead of their clash with the Melbourne Boomers, who will beat the home team to Canberra before they meet at the National Convention Centre on Sunday.
Capitals coach Paul Goriss says they're making "no excuses" and they've left no stone unturned in a bid to be ready for their clash with the competition heavyweights.
"We've tried everything. We even tried to get a masseuse to come and massage the girls in the Qantas club in Brisbane because we had six hours there," Goriss said.
"Qantas wouldn't allow us to because the massage table isn't covered by insurance and his massage oils might smell. I was like 'don't bother, we'll sit there'.
"They said 'we can get you into a hotel down the road and the massage therapist can come there'. But we've got to get out of the airport and get down there and it's all too hard. We'll just deal with it."
The Capitals' two-game unbeaten streak was snapped by championship favourites Townsville Fire in a 76-65 defeat at Townsville Stadium on Friday night.
It was their first loss of the season but it was a performance that proved Canberra have what it takes to be a genuine WNBL title contender.
The trip to Townsville and back means the Capitals have spent more time in airports and on planes than will on the court this week, travelling 5000 kilometres for two games.
They've got little time to lick their wounds but Goriss says they won't be making any excuses - besides they had "lots of time to recover at the airport".
"We've got to do what we do, there's going to be no excuses," Goriss said.
"We've just got to suck this up, move on and get ready for tomorrow. We've made the pact in the group, we're not going to make excuses.
"We've been dealt this, we're going to deal with it and do as much as we can to get ready. You've just got to deal with it as professionally as you can."
The Capitals are desperate to maintain an unbeaten record on their home court but they're faced with the ominous task of tackling a firing Elizabeth Cambage.
But Goriss isn't flustered after the Capitals battled back from some questionable calls to emerge as championship threats against the Fire, which was "always going to be a tough ask".
WNBL ROUND TWO
Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Melbourne Boomers at National Convention Centre, 3pm.
