It all depends on how we play, whether we can play good defence and it's all going to factor in. Our personal motivation, our energy and what we bring to the table is more important than what Bulleen does to us. If we can all pull together for Graffy, for Canberra, I think we will be all right.

You said the 10-point loss to Bulleen in the last round of the regular season was a wake-up call for Canberra. What has changed since then?

Our focus definitely changed after that game in terms of defence, blocking out and things like that. We've worked on that and it has shown. Our stats are different now defensively, we've improved and hopefully we can show that against Bulleen. I know if we can go out there and play our best basketball, I don't know if we have played our best yet, but they're going to have a hard time against us.

You've played in some great Caps teams, how does this one compare?

When I first came into the team I had Shelley Sandie, Kristen Veal, Karen Smith and I was the youngest one. I had so much fun then too, but the difference now is that everyone is just so cool. Everyone hangs out together, everyone really cares about each other and it's just a lot of fun. The girls can play, Graffy has got them playing well so it's just everything it just feels like home.

What's next for Lauren Jackson?

A lot of positive things, obviously the WNBA is coming up. Like I said before, I would play in Canberra until my last second on court if I could, that would be a dream come true. I don't know what is going to happen. I'm going overseas, I'm studying at the moment so I'll keep doing that. I'm doing my property diploma and Bachelor of Arts.

What has been the best thing about being back in Canberra?

It's everything, it's just being in a community where you have your friends, family, the people at the Australian Institute of Sport. I love the lifestyle, I love the cafes, I love going out, it has been unbelievable. I just sort of feel like I belong somewhere. It's been different to being put in a place and being told, ''play, that's your job,''. I actually feel like Canberra is my home and I don't want to go, I really don't. If I had my way I would settle down and live here, but my career is short and I've only got a few more years left.

WNBL GRAND FINAL

CANBERRA CAPITALS v BULLEEN BOOMERS

Tomorrow, 1pm, State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne.

TV time: Live on ABC1

For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.