Opal's incredible return to centre stage

Marianna Tolo admits that while pregnant with her first child, she wondered if she would play in the WNBL again.

But just months after giving birth, the veteran centre has returned.

“I was actually surprised that I would be ready to play round one,” Tolo told AAP ahead of playing the UC Capitals on Saturday and Perth Lynx on Tuesday.

“Last season, people would ask whether I’m playing again and I had no idea, to be honest.

“I didn’t want to put that pressure on myself because I understand how traumatic births can be and how it can really change people.

“Luckily for me, I had a pretty good birth, and I did find that it was achievable to get back to basketball in time.”

It wasn’t an easy comeback to Australia’s top women’s basketball league, as she hadn’t played during the off-season and was training by herself.

But when she featured in the league’s pre-season tournament, Tolo realised that she would be able to dazzle on the court again.

In round one, the centre produced a stunning 28-point performance, and in round three, she posted 12 points and four rebounds on her return from an Achilles flare-up.

But the 37-year-old remained coy on whether this campaign would be her last.

“At the moment, it’s a bit too early to tell, but it is something that has played on my mind before,” Tolo said.

“Look at Kelly Wilson ... She’s playing into her 40s and hopefully going to play her 500th game this season.

“It just shows it can be done ... What happens at the end of the season, we’ll make the call then.”

While Tolo is getting back into the basketball groove, Capitals forward Nyadiew Puoch has revealed that spending time with some of the world’s best players has changed her perspective on the sport.

Puoch played her first WNBA minutes with the Portland Fire earlier this year, and she feels that experience has helped her make a hot start to the WNBL campaign, where she’s averaging 15.7 points and 7.3 rebounds.

“I’ve always tried to be great for my teammates and I’ve dwelled on that so much that I’ve never really taken a breath,” Puoch told AAP.

“I had Bridget Carleton, Karlie Samuelson and Emily Engstler (on the Fire). Seeing them make mistakes and give themselves grace, I (realised) everyone does it.

“I was like, well, if they’re going to give themselves grace, why can’t I?”

The Geelong Venom and Townsville Fire will open round four on Thursday before the Tasmania Jewels face the Adelaide Lightning on Saturday.

The Sydney Flames will look to avenge their first loss of the season when they take on the Southside Melbourne Flyers on Sunday.