It’s a super Saturday for Canberra’s high-flying women’s sporting teams

If nothing else, Canberra United would have to be one of the most resilient teams in the A-League Women’s competition.

With the future of the club continually a presence, the players have managed to put the uncertainty to one side, effectively using it as a motivator.

Canberra United heads into Saturday’s game against the Central Coast Mariners at McKellar as the ladder leaders following four wins in a row.

The last was a 2-1 victory over Melbourne City with Michelle Heyman scoring her fourth goal of the season. This was a defining test of Canberra’s premiership credentials.

Canberra United coach Antoni Jagarinec deserves plenty of kudos for his ability to keep his players focused on their on-field tasks.

It is obvious from the desperation displayed in the win over Melbourne City that the players are there for each other and their coach.

It has been inspirational to say the least.

Meanwhile, it’s been a tough past three seasons for the UC Capitals with back-to-back wooden spoons before narrowly missing the finals in 2024-25.

And after big losses to the Perth Lynx and the Townsville Fire it appeared as though the finals drought would continue, but something has sparked within the UC Capitals, resulting in an incredible turnaround.

The Capitals head into Saturday’s home game against Geelong at the AIS Arena on the back of three wins in a row.

Victories over Geelong, Southside and Adelaide have catapulted the Capitals into fourth on the WNBL ladder.

One aspect that has been noticeable is the adaptability of the playing group to play Paul Gorris’s up-tempo game plan.

Veteran players Sara Blicavs, Zitina Aokuso and Jade Melbourne have been outstanding as the Caps finally hit their groove.

The Capitals will start as favourites on Saturday against the last-placed Geelong, with the real test coming next Tuesday in Perth against the inform Lynx.

Import Han Xu, if anything, has improved since guiding the Lynx to a 91-67 win over the Capitals in November in her debut game for Perth.

The Capitals then play back-to-back home games at the AIS against Sydney and the Lynx.

Canberra sports fans have had a reputation as fair-weather supporters, only turning out when their teams are winning.

UC Capitals fans have defied that label over the past three seasons with big crowds even in the losing years.

That fanatical supporter base, it would appear, is now being rewarded.