A drought-breaking WNBL finals appearance could set the Canberra Capitals on a collision course with the Illawarra Hawks as they consider shifting from their regular home for their biggest game in eight years.
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The Capitals are edging closer towards securing home-court advantage for the finals in a massive coup for the club, but hosting game one of the first semi-final series on January 26 would see them clash with the Hawks.
Illawarra will bring the NBL back to Canberra for the first time in a decade when they host the Cairns Taipans at the AIS Arena on that same date.
The Hawks' clash with Cairns is locked into a 3pm timeslot due to the league's broadcast deal with free-to-air network Nine and pay TV network Fox Sports, while flexibility exists around the WNBL finals times.
A double-header would force the Capitals out of their regular home at the National Convention Centre to a larger venue at the AIS Arena, at which they have recently hosted two regular season matches.
Canberra general manager Lucille Bailie labels the move to the Convention Centre "sensational" and says the Capitals boast the WNBL's third-highest average crowd figures behind two extremely well-groomed programs in Townsville and Melbourne.
"We haven’t landed on a venue yet, we are very close," Bailie said.
"After this weekend’s games, we will hopefully have a rock-solid date, assuming we solidify a top two spot to host the first or second semi-finals series.
"We’re talking with a bunch of stakeholders who have the team’s best interests at heart, and we’re going to land in a really nice spot which benefits the team performance, the club’s ability and returns on hosting finals."
Whether Canberra basketball fans will go to two separate games on one weekend remains the biggest question mark amidst myriad issues regarding a potential double-header.
Paul Goriss and the Capitals still have regular season games on the horizon but contingency plans will need to be put in place well in advance should there be a clash.
A double-header would bring a range of logistical issues including the potential requirement of a court changeover given the WNBL and NBL have different sponsorship logos, but all options are on the table.
"It’ll either be a stand-alone or a double-header. We’re definitely talking to the Hawks," Bailie said.
"There are really great possibilities to work with them across both of our footprints for mutual benefits. The more good quality sport, and particularly because we’re basketball-lovers, the more basketball we have in the can, we are entirely supportive.
"We really enjoy the prospect of working with the Hawks and looking at how we can collaborate."
The Capitals could instead host the opening game of the second semi-final series on January 27 should they be seeded in the league's top two come the playoffs.
Another possibility is Canberra missing out on hosting a semi-final series opener but that looks unlikely given their standing on top of the table, meaning the Capitals are a strong chance to feature on a blockbuster weekend in the ACT.
"That Australia Day weekend in Canberra… it is incredible. It’s party time, so whether it’s two individual matches or a double-header, fair-dinkum, we’re offering some great opportunities for people," Bailie said.
"People have a limited disposable income, so when we are promoting our product, we are not just competing with other sporting competitions. That’s how we’re pitching our product, as a really great overall experience, not just for sports people but for general punters.
"On that weekend people are spoilt for choice. Canberra has a big party on Australia Day weekend and do it pretty well, so it’s pretty cool to be a part of that."
