For the Spirit, the 2007-08 season was its first in the Women’s National Basketball League.

History shows the Spirit produced a respectable debut season, recording a win-loss record of 10-14 and finishing seventh.

Tonight, the Spirit begins its second season with its eyes wide open as to what is going to be required to become a play-off contender in Australia’s premier women’s basketball competition.

The Spirit’s first opponent for its second season will be perennial WNBL power, Canberra.

“This season we know where we need to be, whether we’re there just yet is another thing,’’ Harrower said yesterday.

“But we certainly know that it’s going to be a very tough season.

“One thing I have tried to do through the pre-season is prepare the girls to be more physical, be a lot more active at the defensive end and be a lot more assertive offensively, but I know that’s easier said than done.’’

Standing in the way of the Spirit and a 1-0 start to the season is a Canberra team that is considered the title favourites.

And the Spirit will likely have to confront the Capitals without star point guard Kristi Harrower, who as of yesterday was still to be cleared from Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Combating the Capitals’ height poses as the greatest problem to the Spirit, which lost to Canberra twice in their three meetings last season.

The Capitals’ roster boasts five players 185cm or above - Tracey Beatty (202cm) Mariana Tolo (196cm), Abby Bishop (190cm), Peta Sinclair (187cm) and Hannah Bowley (185cm).

Bendigo’s only player over 185cm is captain Gabe Richards, who stands at 188cm.

“Canberra has played about eight games in the pre-season, so they will certainly be ahead of where we’re at,’’ Harrower said.

“They have basically kept their starting five from last season, except for Tully Bevilaqua, whereas we will have four new faces in our first five, which makes a difference.

“It’s going to take us a little while to gel, but we’re certainly heading in the right direction.’’

Of the Spirit’s likely starting five tonight, only Richards played with the club last season.

Richards is expected to be joined in the starting five by Dee Butler, Kelly Wilson, Hannah Zavecz and Elanor Haring, who are all new to the club.

Tonight’s game between Bendigo and Canberra at the Schweppes Centre tips off at 7.30pm.