The first domino of the Canberra Capitals' recruitment drive has fallen, and it's just about the biggest domino you could find.
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Marianna Tolo has re-signed with the Capitals for the 2019-20 season in a huge boost to the club's bid to claim back-to-back WNBL championships.
The chance to play in Australia ahead of an Olympic Games campaign has ultimately proven irresistible for three-time championship winner Tolo.
The star centre's return comes two days after the club announced head coach Paul Goriss will be steering the ship for the next two seasons as Canberra set their sights on a ninth title.
Tolo had put her contract talks on the backburner during the Capitals' playoff run and she knocked back the chance to play in the WNBA to refresh her body after a tumultuous year.
The 29-year-old averaged 12.88 points per game, 5.44 rebounds and 2.06 assists in her return from a second knee reconstruction to help the Capitals to the championship.
So inspirational was her return to the fold that she had Goriss in tears at a post-match press conference, and Tolo's impact on the playing group cannot be understated after she won the players' player award.
Tolo joins the league's most valuable player in Kelsey Griffin on the roster to give the club much-needed firepower to kick off the free agency window.
Rising stars Keely Froling and Kristy Wallace will feature in Canberra's title defence while the club has tabled a number of offers to members of their championship squad.
The Capitals hope the chance to work with Goriss - an Australian Opals assistant coach - ahead of the looming Tokyo Games will also lure star point guard Leilani Mitchell back to the club.
Canadian import Kia Nurse is another major target, and again it is the retention of Goriss that could prove crucial to the 23-year-old's future in the Canberra.
"It takes a little while, but when you get one or two over the line then it creates that effect and others want to get on board," Goriss said.
"I think we've got good building blocks there with Kelsey, Keely and Kristy. Getting one or two of the other girls over the line will help persuade some of the others to put pen to paper.
"We want people who want to be here. We can't compete with money in Europe or what other clubs may offer, or starting positions. What we can offer is what we've built on this year.
"We had great team chemistry in how we played and that is going to be a drawcard in getting the girls back."
