The UC Capitals' finals hopes haven't suffered a crushing blow despite losing Opal Sara Blicavs, star forward Nyadiew Puoch says.
Blicavs and the Capitals mutually parted ways on Tuesday as the star pursues an opportunity overseas.
It's a significant loss for the Canberra side, who are vying for a finals spot, level with the fourth-placed Southside Melbourne Flyers (7-8) and without Opal Jade Melbourne due to hand surgery.
But Puoch says Blicavs' departure won't affect the side's top-four ambitions, noting she had missed the team's 77-74 upset win against the Perth Lynx with a knee injury last Sunday.
"It comes with sports and life, but we know we have to move on. Other people have to step up and play a bigger role," she told AAP ahead of the Capitals' clash against the Sydney Flames on Saturday.
"When we played, we didn't have her. We showed that we can play with whatever we've got.
"It's definitely different, and we do miss them on the court, but we can't really linger on that ... because all these games are really important."
The Geelong Venom are also missing one of their stars in Alissa Pili after she suffered an ankle injury just five minutes into her season.
The forward returned for one match in December, before sustaining an illness which coach Chris Lucas said would keep her out for several weeks.
Captain Jaz Shelley admits losing Pili threw a spanner in the works as Geelong has slumped to the bottom of the ladder.
"She's (Pili) a huge piece to our team, and the system that we wanted was around her," Shelley told AAP before the side's match with Townsville on Friday.
"Having her out for so long has been an adjustment. It's been really difficult to organise and work around those situations."
Despite key players' absences, a host of international talent is left in the league, including from New Zealand.
Ahead of the Kiwis' World Cup Qualifiers in March, several Tall Ferns players have joined or stayed in the competition, such as Sharne Robati, Tera Reed, Charlotte Whittaker, and Tahlia Tupaea.
Adelaide's Robati says it's crucial that Tall Fern players feature in the league.
"For us Kiwi girls, there's still a lot of growth that needs to happen. I needed to take a step forward," she told AAP ahead of Adelaide's clash against the Perth Lynx on Saturday.
"We do have a league (in New Zealand), but I feel a difference playing here. It's much faster, much more physical, and we learn a lot.
"Just to play amongst the Australians and the bigger imports definitely helps us."
The Southside Melbourne Flyers will face the top two sides in round 13 - the Bendigo Spirit on Friday and the Townsville Fire on Sunday.
Adelaide host Sydney on Tuesday to finish the week.
