At full health they have a roster capable of winning a title, but Canberra Capitals forward Abby Bishop said it's up to the undermanned squad to set up the season before the cavalry arrives.
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The Capitals will begin their WNBL campaign against Dandenong at AIS Arena on Saturday without star centre Lauren Jackson (knee), point guard recruit Renee Montgomery (WNBA Finals) and Hanna Zavecz (ribs).
Reigning WNBL most valuable player Bishop will also be restricted to ten minutes in her first game in two months with a hamstring injury.
Canberra has eased concerns over its post depth by signing former Townsville Fire forward Rosie Fadljevic on a one-month contract while Jackson and Bishop recover.
"I'll play this weekend but obviously I'll be on restricted minutes," Bishop said.
"They [Dandenong] are a big team, I'm one of the few big ones in our team without Loz [Jackson] so hopefully I can get out there and just do my thing.
"We have to have realistic expectations for the start of the season, but I have full trust the girls will be able to do their part."
Capitals coach Carrie Graf said the addition of undersized forward Fadljevic, part of Townsville's roster the past three season, will help overcome the early season growing pains.
"She's undersized but she's defended everyone in the post in this league, and does all the little things," Graf said.
"Rosie's a great defender and role piece, she sets great screens and is just tough.
"We're going to be three or four players down but we're confident with the people we've got, we're going to put on a good contest.
"We know it's going to be hard. We're not going to stand here and say we'll be 5-0 at the start, but we have to find some wins early."
The absence of three key members of their starting five means Australian Opals youngster Stephanie Talbot will be under pressure to step up her game even further.
The 21-year-old had a breakout season last year, averaging 13 points, three assists and eight rebounds a game, and shutting her down will be a focus for rivals with Jackson and Bishop sidelined.
"Being young I don't want to stay at the same point, I want to grow on what I did last year for sure," Talbot said.
"It's definitely frustrating have such a talented roster and not having them all out there at the start of the season.
"It'll be good to battle through that adversity, and hopefully get some wins to set us up."
The WNBL is yet to secure a new television deal after the ABC ended its 35-year partnership at the end of last season.
The league is holding talks with free-to-air broadcasters and are confident of reaching an agreement, while online live streaming is also a focus.
"I know [Basketball Australia boss] Anthony Moore is working really hard to have a deal locked away," Graf said.
"He's really close to that I believe, there's two key [broadcast] players in that space who have big interest.
"I have every confidence in Anthony he'll come through with the goods and that'll be exciting for the league to be on free to air television and some online coverage as well.
"Where it's at I'm not sure, but I spoke to Anthony last week and he was very confident those discussions are progressing well and there'll be some great news in coming weeks."
SATURDAY
Canberra Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at AIS Arena, 7pm
Tickets available from Ticketek
