WNBL championship-winner Kate Gaze says she wants to be a part of the Canberra Capitals' long-term revival, revealing she wants to extend her contract to stay at the club.
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But Gaze, one of only three title winners on the Capitals' roster, says the No.1 goal is chasing a drought-breaking finals berth as they walk a play-off tightrope on a brutal road trip.
Gaze's experience from the bench will be invaluable as the Capitals prepare to play the Adelaide Lightning on Friday night and then back up against the Perth Lynx on Sunday.
The Capitals are fighting to clinch fourth spot but Gaze and coach Paul Goriss say the players must avoid watching the ladder if they want to stay in championship contention.
Gaze is one of several Capitals who are off contract at the end of the season. The 26-year-old won back to back titles with the Townsville Fire before linking with Canberra and now she wants to settle in the capital.
If she signs a contract extension, Gaze will be the only championship-winner at the Capitals with Marianna Tolo set to test herself in Europe and to Carly Wilson retire after more than 350 games.
"I've had an amazing year here and really enjoyed my time, even though there have been some injuries," Gaze said.
"I'm not satisfied because of the injuries and I really want to come back next year. Nothing has been put in writing yet.
"But I'm enjoying Gorrie and the group he's putting together. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't want to come back.
"Making the finals would be huge, especially from where the Capitals were last year. If we could be part of that special group it would be awesome.
"The deeper we go into the season, the less you remember about the start of the year."
Gaze has played just 12 of Canberra's 19 games this season after battling a back problem and a foot injury.
But the former AIS graduate says she has buried her injury demons and she's determined to chase a finals spot.
The Capitals are part of a ladder logjam with the Lynx, the Bendigo Spirit and the Townsville Fire fighting for the last two play-off spots.
The Capitals road to the finals will see them play all three of their rivals, starting with the tough road-trip double to Perth and Adelaide.
They must win at least four of their five games remaining in the regular season to play in the finals for the first time since 2011.
"From here on it's do or die for us," Goriss said.
"We can't worry about what other teams are going to do, statistics and mathematical equations about needing 'X' amount of wins isn't going to help us.
"I've preached to the girls all along that we've got to be in charge of our own destiny and take care of business ourselves rather than sitting back and waiting for results."
Gaze conceded it was hard not to get caught up in ladder scenarios with only a handful of wins separating third and sixth place.
"Our backs are obviously are against the wall, but the great thing is that everything is in our control," Gaze said.
"That's a big part of making the finals. If we can just win our games and concentrate on us, then hopefully that's enough to get us into fourth or third spot."
WNBL ROUND 17
Friday: Adelaide Lightning v Canberra Capitals at Adelaide Arena, 8pm.
Sunday: Perth Lynx v Canberra Capitals at Bendat Basketball Centre, 5pm.
