MELBOURNE (2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship) - It seems there has been more talk about who isn't playing for the Australian Opals at the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship than who is, but head coach Brendan Joyce thinks that's a big mistake.

"We had a young group two years ago that played New Zealand," he said ahead of Saturday's series opener in Melbourne.

"Six of those players went on to play at the Worlds [2014 FIBA Women's World Championship]. If you had asked how many I thought would at the time, I would have only said two or three. It could be up to that number again from this team."

Three young names that stand out are Tess Madgen, Steph Talbot and Sara Blicavs, all looking to guide the Aussies past the Tall Ferns and onto the plane to Rio.

Madgen is no stranger to the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship, having featured in the past two editions as a reserve.

However, after a stint with the Phoenix Mercury, the 25-year-old is ready to be a major player for her country and stake a claim for next year's team.

"To play against the best players in the world every week - I was glad I got the opportunity," she said of her time in the WNBA, despite her contract being cut short.

It's awesome, I didn't think I would have a chance to be a part of this and I'm stoked to be here. - Madgen

"I had this Opals program to come back to, refocus my attention and get back on the court."

Playing on this stage for the first time might have been a daunting task for the 21-year-old Talbot, but she has already been through a tough initiation as Joyce's go-to defensive player on the tour of Europe, where she excelled.

"Defense has always been a big part of my game, it's always been a strong point and he [Joyce] has had the confidence to mark me up on some pretty good players," Talbot said.

"In Europe I learned a lot about myself, the things I need to improve on and the work ethic you need to make it at the next level."

But the Opals' young guns won't be left to fend for themselves, with this line-up featuring seven players with Olympic or World Championship experience - and five who have graced WNBA courts - including Laura Hodges, Suzy Batkovic and Rachel Jarry.

"We've got such a great mix of older experienced players and some new girls coming through," Jarry said.

"I think we'll play some exciting basketball this weekend."

Jarry played under the bright lights during the Minnesota Lynx's WNBA title season, and the buzz generated in her home country for the 'Homecoming' series against New Zealand seems to be just as special.

"I can't wait, Rod Laver Arena, 15,000 people, it's going to be awesome," she said.

"The girls are so pumped, we're just pumped to show off what we’ve been working on all year."

But the Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist had a cautionary message for teammates young and old that big crowds and fancied line-ups mean little when the whistle blows.

"It doesn't mean anything unless we come out and beat New Zealand."

Game 1 of the 2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship takes place on Saturday 15 August (18:30 local time/GMT+10) in Melbourne with Game 2 to follow on Monday 17 August in Tauranga. Both games are live on LiveBasketball.TV (registration and subscription required).

FIBA