Canberra Capitals import Kaili McLaren will get the chance to make a compelling case for a contract extension, timing her recovery from a niggling knee problem perfectly before the club decides on her future.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
McLaren is back to full fitness after having an injection in her knee three weeks ago and the Capitals will lean on the 30-year-old's experience to help them through another unexpected injury hit.
Capitals co-captain Marianna Tolo was expected to make her comeback this weekend, but will instead miss at least the next three weeks after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
McLaren was initially signed to a short-term deal to fill the hole left by Tolo at the start of the season following her second knee reconstruction.
But she might be needed beyond her December 5 departure date to ease the pressure on Tolo when she's eventually ready to play again and to give the Capitals much-needed depth.
Capitals coach Paul Goriss is set to meet with McLaren and her agent next week, making the clash against the Dandenong Rangers on Sunday a perfect opportunity to remind the team of her ability.
"We've spoken about it a bit, but nothing in detail. Obviously you never want to be in limbo, but I've got no doubt we'll work something out so I'm not worried about that," McLaren said.
"It's tough because Tolo worked really hard. She changed her body and did everything right, then just like that you can have a setback. It will be great to have her back.
"I'm just going to play as hard as I can. Whatever the team decides to do, I'm grateful either way. It would be great to stay here and try to compete for a championship, so I'll just try to do the best I can."
McLaren played just three minutes against Perth last week as the Capitals managed her workload and comeback from a knee complaint.
But she has been a crucial pick up this season, particularly with Tolo out of action, and has become one of the key cogs in a growing team bond.
"We've got to wait a few more weeks [for Tolo] and then we've got to find ways to work her back into the rotation," Goriss said.
"We'll have to have that discussion [about McLaren] probably after this weekend and see where we take that moving forward.
"Tolo isn't going to come back in and play 30 plus [minutes] from the very start, so we do need bodies and people at practice and we need people for the games. All things considered, if Kaili keeps getting better daily and improving with her knee, it would be good to have a safety net for Tolo."
The Capitals have slipped to third on a tight ladder, but can bounce back from their loss in Perth if they beat the Rangers at the National Convention Centre on Sunday.
The Rangers have struggled so far this season and have won just two games, but they boast form AIS and Capitals gun Carley Mijovic and Goriss is wary of letting a game slip at home.
WNBL ROUND SIX
Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at National Convention Centre, 2pm. Tickets available at the door.
