The Canberra Capitals have moved swiftly to bolster their roster following the sudden departure of Opals star Sara Blicavs, signing New Zealand international Emme Shearer for the remainder of the WNBL season.
New Recruit Steps In After Shock Departure
This crucial signing comes after Blicavs and the club reached a mutual agreement for her release on Tuesday, January 8, 2026, allowing the 33-year-old forward to accept a significant contract offer from the Shandong Six Stars in the Women's Chinese Basketball Association. Blicavs, who was averaging nearly 13 points and five rebounds per game, described the move as a "very hard decision" but a necessary one at this stage of her career.
The 1.83-metre-tall guard Shearer arrives fresh from a championship-winning season with Tauranga Whai in New Zealand's Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league, where she was averaging nearly 16 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Capitals coach Paul Goriss expressed his long-term interest in the player, highlighting her perimeter shooting, athleticism, and ability to stretch defences as key assets for the team's finals push.
"Emme's someone that I've kept an eye on the past few years," Goriss said. "We needed somebody that can stretch the defense and make some shots." Shearer could make her debut as soon as Saturday, January 11, against the Sydney Flames.
'Wolverine' Skipper in Race Against Time
While the Capitals gain a new player, they face an anxious wait on the fitness of their captain, Jade Melbourne. The 23-year-old guard is recovering from surgery on a spiral fracture in her hand, which now features a four-centimetre plate inserted to accelerate healing.
Melbourne has jokingly dubbed her repaired limb a "Wolverine" hand, referencing the Marvel superhero's rapid healing abilities. The initial recovery timeline is set at four to eight weeks, putting a potential return in early February. However, by that stage, the Capitals' regular season would be concluding, making her availability for a finals campaign a race against time.
"Surgery went fantastic," Melbourne said over the weekend. "I'm trying to make a fist at the moment, and slowly getting there... It's a Wolverine hand." Coach Goriss remains realistic, stating the best-case scenario is a four-week absence, but acknowledges the final timeline depends entirely on the healing process.
Capitals Rally Amidst Dual Blow
The loss of Blicavs and the extended absence of Melbourne presents a significant challenge for the Capitals, who currently sit fourth on the WNBL ladder with eight regular-season games remaining. The team's resilience was on display last weekend with a stunning upset victory over the Perth Lynx, sealed by a viral half-court buzzer-beater from Nyadiew Puoch.
French star Kadi Sissoko voiced the squad's confidence, stating, "We're capable to do great things. We showed last weekend that we have the tools to actually go against top teams." The club is determined to secure its first finals appearance since the 2021-22 season.
Goriss confirmed the club supported Blicavs' life-changing financial opportunity, noting that for a player of her age and service to Australian basketball, they felt compelled to grant the release. The immediate acquisition of Shearer is part of the club's contingency planning, as they aim to maintain their winning form and solidify a top-four finish despite the roster upheaval.
