Capitals move past WNBL finals controversy

Canberra coach Paul Goriss has watched the Capitals' controversial WNBL grand final game two loss three times but his attention is back on winning the decider.

Canberra Capitals

The Capitals have dusted themselves off and are gearing up to claim a title. (AAP)

Canberra have got their "sulking" out of the way and are focused on securing the WNBL championship in Saturday night's decider against Adelaide.

The Capitals took a day to get over the heartbreak of their controversial defeat in game two of the grand series in Adelaide on Wednesday night.

Coach Paul Goriss felt his team should already be celebrating the title, adamant Lightning star Nicole Seekamp released her matchwinning basket after the buzzer.

He also thinks Adelaide's Lauren Nicholson travelled and double-dribbled before offloading the ball to Seekamp in a frantic last five seconds.

However broadcast technology didn't allow for the plays to be reviewed, leaving the Lightning victors 74-73 and the series level 1-1.

But Goriss said anger within the team had dissipated and all attention was back on the Capitals claiming an eighth WNBL title and first since 2010.

"I had all of yesterday to pout and sulk and watch the game three times over," Goriss said.

"I've woke up today with a fresh mind and a new outlook.

"I'm the leader of this group and I've got to make sure I'm positive.

"The group is positive and in an upbeat way and we know we can finish this and we're better than what we showed the other night."

With the decider to be played in front of a sold-out AIS Arena in Canberra, the Capitals will start warm favourites.

They punished the Lightning by 21 points in game one at the same venue last week.

Capitals star Kelsey Griffin (24 points, 23 rebounds) was easily her team's dominant player in game two and will need more support.

"We didn't shoot well (in game two) so we did rely on our defence and to keep an offensively talented team like Adelaide to low-70s (points) was great but we can do better," Griffin said.

Adelaide coach Chris Lucas said his team had come down from the high of keeping the series alive and would arrive in Canberra quietly confident.

"They're a pretty relaxed group so my demeanour really sends a message that we're onto the next contest," he said.

"We've earnt the right to be there and we'll have a crack at the best team in the league."


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Source: AAP


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Capitals move past WNBL finals controversy | SBS News