That's how long it has been since the Canberra Capitals played in their home city.

COVID-19 had barely created a ripple on these shores, and we had no idea how much life was about to change. The Capitals' WNBL grand final series triumph on the night of March 4 2020 was one of Canberra's final touches with reality as we knew it.

But now after almost two years gripped by lockdowns, isolation, social distancing, and a hub season jammed into Queensland's north, the Capitals are back.

The Capitals will play their first game at the National Convention Centre in almost two years when they host the Adelaide Lightning on Sunday afternoon.

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Playing in front of a home crowd will mean something more for Capitals guard Kelly Wilson, because when she glances towards the seats inside the venue's Royal Theatre, she will see her baby boy Ted.

"That's really exciting for me to think my little boy and husband are going to be in the crowd. He has no idea what's going on but I'm sure he'll be able to spot mum out on the court and that's what means the most to me," Wilson said.

"Hopefully his attention span lasts the whole game, I'm sure my husband won't be watching a whole heap of the game, but that's something I'm really looking forward to. It's really special to me."

Wilson played an integral role in the Capitals' 2018-19 championship run, but it's been so long since the WNBL's games record holder played in Canberra that "honestly I almost forget what it feels like".

Jade Melbourne has only ever been on the other side of the sideline in Canberra.

The rising Opal is one of the league's breakout stars. She has already spent an entire season with the Capitals but instead found herself calling places like Mackay, Cairns and Townsville home in 2020 when the entire league moved north.

"I've only been to a Canberra game as a fan, so to be playing as a Capital this time, representing the culture and all that, I'm just stoked," Melbourne said.

"All I know is they just get around Canberra so much and the energy they bring is unbelievable. They bring so much with every play we make, every shot, every steal. I'm super excited to just be on the court and feel that atmosphere and really get hyped by the crowd.

"I haven't played in front of the Canberra fans and I know they're one of the best. To hear a crowd, any crowd, it really is like your best sixth man. If they're good and they're active, it creates so much energy.

"When you get a bit of momentum and they start getting up and about, you just ride that and it's a headache for the other team. I'm looking forward to that, hopefully they come in numbers.

"It's going to be close to sold-out and hopefully we can put on a show for them, because they've missed out and they haven't been able to get to a game since March last year."

The game in question is one that still leaves Capitals coach Paul Goriss with goosebumps.

It was the game that secured Canberra's ninth championship, their second in as many seasons to make Goriss a two-time WNBL championship coach.

As much as he loves the sound of it, Goriss says, "I still have to pinch myself that it was all real".

"I still have vivid memories of the AIS Arena and our first game at the NCCC. Those kind of memories come flooding back about how exciting it is to be at home and have our crowd who really spurs us on," Goriss said.

"Those iconic moments of being able to play in front of your home crowd with that noise, teams that come here don't want to come and play here.

"We make this place a fortress, we protect our home court, and I know myself and the girls are ready to go."

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