Lauren Jackson: Phillip Hughes' death 'hit athletes hard'
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UNIVERSITY of Canberra Capitals coach Carrie Graf has implored her team to “play desperate” in tonight’s WNBL clash with the Adelaide Lightning at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.
Riding a two-game losing streak, the fifth-placed Caps need a win in Albury over the competition cellar-dwellers to keep pace with the league’s top-four.
Graf admitted the Caps’ horrendous turnover ratio needed to be fixed quickly, despite taking on a Lightning outfit that has been handed five consecutive double-digit losses.
“Our turnover rate early in the season was an absolute disaster,” Graf said.
“We were getting 20-25 turnovers a game and still managing to find ways to win because we were doing a great job on the boards to balance that out.
“We fixed that but against Dandenong we slipped back and had 20 turnovers and at this point of the season you can’t do that and expect to win.
“But we’ve addressed that, we know where the turnovers are coming from and I don’t think that will be an issue for us.”
Graf said the loss of key players, including Albury’s Lauren Jackson to further knee surgery, had not helped the Caps’ cause but was hopeful the team could “keep its head above water” until Jackson’s expected return just before Christmas.
“Not only Lauren but we’ve had a load of injuries this year,” Graf said.
“Hanna Zavecz only just returned last week, Jess Bibby has had a back injury and Abby (Bishop) has just had a cortisone shot in her foot.
“But considering that I think we’ve handled the adversity well and we’ve shown some good signs.
“We have to play desperate and with a determined focus on the glass and we need everyone to contribute.
“With players back and Lauren not too far away, if we can keep our heads above water then we’ll be in a good situation.”
Jackson, who underwent an arth-roscope on her knee on November 5 — her fifth operation in 10 months — said not being able to play in the stadium named in her honour was disappointing but she was hopeful of taking to the Albury court in the Caps’ return to the Border next year.
The 33-year-old has not played in Albury since the Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits’ inaugural SEABL game in 2006.
“I would’ve loved to have played in front of my home crowd,” Jackson said.
Tip-off is 7pm. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 concession and $5 for children.