MIKHAELA’S LEARNED FROM BES T

THERE was a time when Mikhaela Donnelly would hang off every word Nat Hurst had to say when learning her trade in Canberra.

But the Townsville point guard hopes to dish out a few lessons of her own in the nation’s capital tonight as the Fire look to secure a finals berth.

The 23y e a r - o l d spent three years at Canberra’s Australian Institute of Sport, and considered the former Australian Opals playmaker one of her idols.

Having returned to the WNBL after a three- year break to have her first child, Donnelly will seal the maiden playoff appearance of her career should the Fire beat the Capitals.

Second- last Canberra is out of post- season contention but are looming as a potential finals spoiler after winning their past three games.

“I’ve done a couple of camps with her when I was quite young so it’s always nice to play against her now I’m a bit older,” Donnelly said.

“I’ve learned a lot from her over the years and it’s always great to play against someone you’ve looked up to your whole career.

“( When based in Canberra) I was watching her and playing against her a bit. I was nervous back then as a little kid looking up to your idols. It’s nice to go up against them, they challenge you and you take parts of their game and create them in your own way.”

The former Australian under- 19 captain has proven a rock- solid point guard understudy to Kelly Wilson in her return to the top level. She said the bench would focus on being aggressive against a productive Capitals second unity.

“We’ve got to stay aggressive and do whatever we can,” Donnelly said.

“Get to the hoop, get our feet in the paint and create for others and yourself at the same time.”