Retired Canberra skipper Kellie Abrams is confident the Capitals will survive their rebuilding phase despite losing the core of their championship-winning roster, writes Chris Dutton in The Canberra Times.
Abrams officially called time on her 14-season career last week and her emotions spilled over when she realised her WNBL career was finally over.
It was the moment she didn't think would come until she was watching her ex-teammates from the sideline.
And her tears signalled the end of an era for the Capitals.
Abrams's departure will force the Capitals to usher in a new roster for the 2010-11 season, which begins in October.
There is no obvious replacement as captain and there is just one player Carly Wilson remaining from the starting side which beat the Bulleen Boomers to win the 2009-2010 title.
But WNBL life member and six-time championship-winner Abrams insisted the Capitals would still be a force in their bid to win a hat-trick of grand finals.
“You don't like to use the word rebuilding, but if you look at it now there aren't any players left from the first championship,” Abrams said.
“It's going to be period of adjustment for the club.
“But they've got the best coach [Carrie Graf] available, so I'm sure she'll be able to manage recruiting good players and bring them to the club.”
The Capitals have lost key players Nat Hurst, Abby Bishop, Lauren Jackson and now Abrams.
Back-up guard Chantella Perera has also left the club.
The Capitals have recruited dual Olympian Suzy Batkovic-Brown, Australian WNBA rookie Alison Lacey and 2007/08 Betty Watson Rookie of the Year Nicole Hunt to strengthen their squad.
Jayco Opal Marianna Tolo will be promoted to the starting side with Michelle Cosier (nee Musselwhite) also expected to return this season.
But while Jackson and Hurst will play in Europe and Bishop and Perera will suit up for the Dandenong Rangers, Abrams is the only player to retire.
Initially the guard was keen to play on for at least one more season after helping the Capitals to a thrilling grand final victory.
But after mulling over her options for an extended period, the 31-year-old decided it was time to give the sport away.
And it was the chance to leave the WNBL on her terms that convinced Abrams to hang up her boots.
“I think it was more of a mental decision rather than a physical one ... it got to the point where I was starting to stress [whether to retire or not] and that's not how it's supposed to be,” Abrams said.
“If the motivation was there to play, then I would do it.
“I definitely wanted to finish my career on a good note rather than despising what I was doing.”
Abrams leaves the Capitals as one of the club's greatest players.
Photo courtesy of Kangaroo Photos
