THEIR finals hopes are dashed, but Canberra star Brigitte Ardossi has urged her side to use ''pride in the jersey'' as motivation for the rest of the season.
Friday's 72-59 loss to Logan means the Capitals are certain to miss the WNBL finals for the first time in seven years. But Ardossi intends to use the seven-time champions' fine history as a spur to finish off the campaign strongly.
''We've only got a few more games left and we really have to knuckle down and keep the pride in the jersey,'' Ardossi said.
''With any basketball team across the world it's what you wear across your chest, not your name individually. We had a few defensive problems [against Logan], letting them get easy baskets and miscommunication, but we can't let that get to us.''
Despite carrying a few niggles, the forward was Canberra's best against the Thunder with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
But her efforts inside and on the boards weren't enough, the Capitals slumping to their 11th loss in 18 matches.
The Capitals were outplayed by Logan in key ''effort indicators'' like defensive transition, intensity and offensive rebounds.
The fact key centre Marianna Tolo is carrying an ankle injury clearly doesn't help.
But Canberra coach Carrie Graf refused to use the plight of the club's reigning most valuable player as an excuse.
''Brigitte's carrying a small injury, so is Tolo and Flea [Nicole Hunt], but they [Logan] deserved to win that game,'' she said.
''Great players [Tolo] play with injury, and we're certainly not using that as an excuse. She [Ardossi] and Tolo didn't attack in the post, they were searching for fouls rather than going to score.''
Canberra has missed the experience and smarts of Natalie Porter, sidelined with an ankle injury.
But although the Capitals' title hopes are over, the forward hasn't ruled out returning to the line-up.
Scans on her injury this week showed bad bone bruising after she lasted just 13 seconds in Canberra's win over Bulleen before Christmas.
''I had a cortisone [injection on Friday], I'll train on Monday and see how it pulls up,'' she said.
''My ankles are shocking and it plays with my head, it has since about 2005, so we'll see.
''Where I think I can help them is defensively, get up in people's faces and scout players.''
Porter's return would be a huge boost to Canberra's rotation, and help take pressure off an injured Tolo.
''She's just low on confidence [due to her injury], she just has to get back to playing,'' Porter said.
''There's a bit more pressure on her than probably most players on this team have ever had to bear.''
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