CANBERRA coach Carrie Graf says the Capitals are ready for the Bendigo Bank Spirit, regardless of whether Kristi Harrower takes the court or not in tonight’s Women’s National Basketball League season-opener.

The week leading up to the tip-off for the 2008-09 WNBL season has been dominated by Harrower’s plans to join the Spirit after being cut from Russian Euroleague club UMMC Ekaterinburg.

However, Harrower is no certainty to line up for the Spirit at the Schweppes Centre tonight as UMMC Ekaterinburg was yesterday still to clear the three-time Olympian.

“We will see what the situation is on Saturday night when Bendigo’s starting five is called out,’’ Graf said yesterday.

“But I know for a fact that Kristi won’t jeopardise her Russian contract and the payout that goes with that.

“For her to play in the WNBL this season is a huge boost for the league because she is one of the best point guards in the world.

“We will prepare both ways - if she’s playing then she is playing, if she’s not, then she’s not.

“Our focus is about Bendigo as a team, not just Kristi, as great as she is.’’

The Capitals won two of their three encounters with Bendigo in the Spirit’s inaugural 2007-08 season.

In their only match at the Schweppes Centre last season, Canberra won 69-62 on January 12.

“I think it was a learning experience for Bendigo last season, I have a lot of respect for Bernie Harrower as a coach and it’s great to have a regional Victorian team in the league,’’ Graf said.

“The league this season is going to be tough; there’s going to be a whole lot of teams chasing those play-off spots and I think if Kristi plays, it certainly changes who Bendigo could beat.’’

While Graf is expecting an even season in the WNBL, her team will enter it as the title favourites after adding new recruits Marianna Tolo (AIS), Michelle Musselwhite (Sydney) and Chantella Perera (Dandenong).

The Capitals, who have won five of the past nine championships, finished fourth last season after losing the elimination final to Dandenong.

“Pre-season polls and teams on paper are interesting,’’ Graf said.

“If people are suggesting we might be the team to beat that’s a plus, but right now it’s all about us against Bendigo and who can get the job done.’’