Canberra Capitals coach Carrie Graf admits the fact she won't be part of a WNBL finals campaign for the first time is yet to sink in.
And she plans to use that disappointment as a spur for her side to finish off the season strongly.
Graf isn't used to free time in March after a remarkable run with Sydney and Canberra that's yielded 14 straight play-off appearances and seven championships.
Last week's loss to Logan officially put the Capitals [7-11] out of finals contention, a bitter pill the club hasn't swallowed since 2004-05.
It will give the Opals coach more time to devote to Olympic preparations, but it must burn deeply for someone so accustomed to success.
''As a head coach in the WNBL I've never not coached in the finals, so it is different,'' she said.
''That isn't going to sink in or be a factor until we are sitting back watching the finals.
''For Canberra to not be in the finals for the second time in 12 years is a testament to the longevity and success of this program.
''One season not being in finals isn't indicative of the success we have had.''
Graf's sole aim is ensuring Canberra remains motivated for the rest of the campaign, starting against old rival Sydney tonight.
''We have four games to finish our season, and it is critical for us to play with character, to seek improvement both individually and as a team, and enjoy trying to upset some teams that still want to make the finals,'' she said.
Canberra has already started planning for next year, and has held discussions with its core players.
Key centre Marianna Tolo is one of them, but she was non-committal when asked if she will remain in Canberra.
If she commits to a fifth season, she will form the league's most potent inside combination next year with Opals legend Lauren Jackson.
''I don't know, we will have to see. Our focus is just to finish off strong, try and get four wins and finish off on a positive note,'' she said.
Canberra's finals demise theoretically gives it the option of handing bench players like Alice Coddington and Lauren Jansen more minutes.
But the ever-competitive Graf declared that will only occur if it didn't impeded the side's winning chances.
''We will look at opportunities where, if we feel it is appropriate to play someone for some developmental minutes we will, but we are also about winning games,'' she said.
''Who do we want to look at, why and how?
''And is there a spot in the game where [we can do that] that benefits us for the future?
''It's about finding that balance.''
WNBL Round 15: Sydney Uni Flames v Canberra Capitals at Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre, 5pm
This reporter is on Twitter: @tuxy81
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