Capitals skipper Abby Bishop is also on a mission to get one back against rival Gabe Richards as Canberra prepares to take on two-time defending champions Bendigo on Saturday.

The Capitals have only beaten the Spirit once in three seasons, coinciding with the club's longest finals drought in more than a decade.

Bendigo boasts some of the WNBL's most dominant players, including Belinda Snell, Richards and 39-year-old Kristi Harrower.

But the Capitals believe they have got the firepower to match the Spirit, despite the Bendigo side losing just five matches in the past two seasons.

"It's a bit of extra motivation playing against Bendigo, they're the two-time champs," Bishop said.

"It's time for us to make a statement and say that we are legit this season. There's no better time than doing that this weekend. We've learnt our lessons from last weekend and we know what we need to do [to get better]."

The Capitals started their season with one win and one loss on a tough road trip to start the year.

Their clash against Bendigo will be their sixth game in three weeks, which has included a trip to Bendigo for a three-game pre-season tournament and starting their season in Melbourne against the Boomers last week.

Bendigo centre Richards was a last-minute call up to the Australian Opals world championship campaign last month, filling the hole left by Bishop, Lauren Jackson and Elizabeth Cambage.

Bishop concedes Richards has "had my number" in their recent on-court clashes and wants to make amends.

"Bendigo are a deep team with a great bench ... that's a challenge but that will make it better if we're up for it," Bishop said.

"Gabe has probably had my number a little bit in the past. She's bigger than me and uses her body well. I'll do what I can to stop her.

"I'm more mobile than Gabe. I have to use my feet more and get around her."

Capitals coach Carrie Graf lamented too many turnovers in the team's opening two games, despite being able to clinch one win and missing a buzzer beater that would have sent the second to overtime.

Former Opals mentor Graf admitted she was surprised Harrower decided to continue her career.

"It's a bit of a changing of the guard for them with Harrower coming off the bench," Graf said.

"Whatever Kristi's role is, she's important to them. But we're not focused on Kristi Harrower's fairytale story; we'll focus on her when she's on the court."

WNBL ROUND 2

Saturday: Bendigo Spirit v Canberra Capitals at Bendigo Stadium, 3pm.