The Canberra Gunners have just three weeks of training under their belt and expectations aren't exactly lofty leading into the 2017 SEABL season.
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But the Gunners are refusing to roll over and are working overtime to avoid the competition's easy-beats tag ahead of the season opener against the Sandringham Sabres on Saturday.
Coach Shawn McEachin returned to the Gunners set up less than a month ago and admitted Canberra has a long road ahead to return to the top half of the competition.
The Gunners haven't made the finals since 2007, and former NBL players Ben Allen and Dan Joyce will have a big say in when that drought ends.
The pair are now the veterans in an otherwise youthful group, and McEachin said Allen and Joyce will be a huge boost for the development of the squad's youngsters.
The Capitals Academy have been bolstered by the inclusion of WNBL star Keely Froling for their SEABL campaign, which also begins against Sandringham on Saturday night at Belconnen Basketball Stadium.
SEABL
Saturday: Round one - Canberra Gunners v Sandringham Sabres at Belconnen Basketball Stadium. Match begins at 7:30pm.
Capitals Academy v Sandringham Sabres at Belconnen Basketball Stadium. Match begins at 5:30pm.
Gunners Academy v Liverpool-Macarthur at Belconnen Basketball Stadium. Match begins at 3:30pm.
