The Southside Flyers have wiped the slate clean for their WNBL title defence as first-year coach Kristi Harrower takes charge of a new-look roster.
After an off-season of drastic change, only four players from the Flyers' title-winning squad will line up again when the new campaign begins.
Lauren Jackson headlined the departures, with grand final MVP Mercedes Russell and Leilani Mitchell following the Australian basketball legend through the exit door.
But Harrower will be able to call on Opals star Alice Kunek and international recruits Naz Hillmon and Mikayla Vaughan, as the Flyers seek to win back-to-back championships for the first time in 20 years.
"It does almost feel like a fresh start and change is scary, but it's also super exciting," Flyers guard Bec Cole told AAP.
"We have four returning players and the rest is fresh, but we're all really excited and we already have great chemistry.
"We need to keep growing and building but it's going to be an exciting season for the Flyers.
"You want to go back-to-back but it's extremely hard to do. Championships aren't given to you, you have to earn it."
One of Australia's most decorated players, Harrower takes charge of Southside after honing her coaching skills in assistant roles with the Opals and Melbourne Boomers, as well as steering NBL1 club Keilor Thunder.
Harrower replaces departed championship coach Cheryl Chambers and will look to give the Flyers a hard edge.
"You're going to see a more defensive-focused team," Cole said.
"We have so many scoring powers and these days you have to have four or five people in double figures to win games.
"But if you can play defence hard for 40 minutes and make it a grind for other teams, that's something we really want to be known for."
Kunek is one of 10 Olympians - including seven Opals and three Gangurrus - set to line up in the WNBL this season.
Title-winning coach Paul Goriss returns for a fresh stint as Canberra Capitals coach, in charge of a new-look team led by Jade Melbourne and 2021 WNBA No.1 draft pick Charli Collier.
The Caps, who finished bottom last season, and minor premiers Townsville Fire both have just two players returning for the new campaign.
Newcomers Geelong United have compiled a strong roster for their debut season, including Opals forward Keely Froling and cross-code star Monique Conti.
Bendigo Spirit narrowly missed the finals last season and have been bolstered by the arrival of Opals pair Marianna Tolo and Sami Whitcomb, as well as WNBA guard Veronica Burton.
Beaten grand finalists Perth Lynx have a relatively stable roster led by star duo Anneli Maley and Amy Atwell, and loom as a major threat to Southside's bid for successive titles.
"They have a great roster and are quite similar to what they had last year," Cole said.
"You can't count out Townsville, they've also been in the finals the last few seasons, and Sydney Flames are pretty deep - but it's a whole new league this season.
"Teams look very different and teams are a lot younger.
"So I'm not sure what's going to happen but I just know the Flyers are going to have to bring it."
The WNBL broke its own attendance, viewership and membership records last season and league officials expect to hit new marks again during the upcoming campaign.
The season tips off with Geelong hosting Townsville on October 30.
