Mitchell returns to Canberra this week in a top of the table clash which marks the first time she has been back since helping the Capitals to a drought-breaking WNBL title.

This time the Southside Flyers point guard stands in the way of the Capitals' hunt for a 17^th consecutive win on home court as they prepare to meet at the National Convention Centre on Sunday.

Capitals forward Keely Froling is keen to catch up with Mitchell - after all, she is "an awesome player and a really good person".

"But once you step over that white line, there's no friends," Froling said with a hint of a smile.

"It'll be good to see her but we'll be wanting to shut her down and hopefully training with her and knowing what she can do, we have that little advantage on her.

"They have five or six scorers across the board, scorers that can put up 20 points each. It's individual scout, but team as well.

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"Everyone has to play their role and lock in defensively because if you let one of them go off, that could be the difference in winning or losing a game.

"Obviously just having a home court advantage always helps, and to have that off a pretty good streak as well helps.

"Hopefully we get a really good crowd there as well that can get behind us. We really ride with the crowd, when they're up, we're up.

"Hopefully we can sell-out on Sunday."

The second-placed Capitals remain the only team to beat the ladder-leading Flyers this season.

A win here could propel Canberra to the top of the league meaning coach Paul Goriss needn't search too far for motivation.

"It's certainly important in the series of games to make sure we try to get the split on them heading into finals," Goriss said.

"The girls are up already, they know the significance of the game and how big it is with Southside on top of the ladder.

"They get up for every game. They want to win and compete in every game. That's part of their job, playing basketball and winning games is part of their job.

"It's an extra little bit of spice to the game knowing it's Southside, knowing it's Lei, knowing they're on top of the ladder. It's a game everyone gets up for and is excited for."

WNBL ROUND NINE

Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Southside Flyers at National Convention Centre, 5pm.