All-star candidate Jade Melbourne will get an opportunity to land the first blow when she squares off against Maddison Rocci in the Canberra Capitals' clash against the Southside Flyers on Saturday.

Even returning big Alex Bunton can make her mark as she prepares to make her comeback from a quad injury to battle Australian basketball's GOAT - Lauren Jackson.

So while the Capitals are languishing at the bottom of the ladder for the second straight season, coach Kristen Veal says there's plenty to play for and team performance can boost individual dreams.

Melbourne has emerged as one of the best players in the competition and is on the 21-year-old is on the Olympic radar after impressing national coach Sandy Brondello.

But she is locked in a tight battle for Australian Opals selection with former Capitals championship winner Rocci and several other guards who are desperate to book their ticket to Paris this year.

Melbourne has scored the second most points (211) of all players in the competition this season despite the Capitals winning just two of 11 games.

Winning the one on one battle with Rocci in Melbourne will give her the edge for Brondello trims her squad next week ahead of an Olympic qualifying tournament in Brazil next month.

"Over the last couple of years there really has been this point guard rivalry between many of the guards who are trying to compete for that Opals [role]," Veal said.

"There's a whole bunch of them who are really looking to be that next point guard for the Opals. I think when they get together, it's a fire thing. [Melbourne and Rocci] are both super competitive, super tough players.

"Whether [Melbourne] is 100 per cent ready or 90 per cent ready ... in her mind, and that's the only thing that matters, she's ready.

"She wants to put her hand up and she's doing everything she can to put her hand up. But [all the guards] are very different."

Melbourne's 19.2 points per game is the best in the league this year, while she's second on average assists (7.9) and is in the top echelon for steals, minutes played, three-point and free-throw percentage.

The Capitals will need her to fire again as they chase their third win in four games after breaking through losing streak just before Christmas.

The clash against Southside is the first of a four-game stretch over a 13-day period, with Bunton set to bolster the squad after playing just five of the first 11 games.

Bunton played for the Opals for the first time in five years last year, but was left out of the Olympic qualifying group while injured. A big performance against Jackson and the Flyers will put her name back on the radar.

"I've kind of had the same mentality from when I came back to basketball after retiring [in 2019]," Bunton said.

"I just take the opportunities and do my work. It's just like signing a contract, you wait for an opportunity. I'll just play my part with any team that I'm with."

The Capitals beat Melbourne and Adelaide in the lead up to Christmas, but fell short against Perth in their last game of the 2023 half the season.

The squad has been hit hard by injuries over the past two years, but Bunton's return on limited minutes and Bec Pizzey's looming comeback will end the days of Veal needing to call on Canberra Gunners Academy players or assistant coaches to bolster training numbers.

"I've had a good week of training, easing back into it and I'm excited to be back and be that big presence," Bunton said.

"We all know what we have to do to win. I know my part, I'm just another piece of the puzzle so it will be an easy slot in."