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DON'T buy too deeply into the hype surrounding the Opals' Olympic team for the Tokyo Games and their prospects of bringing home the coveted Gold or you will set yourself up for disappointment.

Australian coach Sandy Brondello settled on a very conservative 12 as predicted here back in March, sticking with reliable veterans such as Leilani Mitchell and Cayla George.

Both are quality internationals of the past and the gamble is they have one more gold run in them.

Captain Jenna O'Hea already has declared the Opals' intentions are Gold and that's exactly as it should be.

Just don't discount they will have to go through their Group stage against Belgium (ranked #6 in the world by FIBA), China and Puerto Rico before running into a few other notables which easily could include Spain (ranked #3 by FIBA), Canada (ranked #4), Serbia (#8), our regular Asian foil Japan (#10), France (#5) and, oh yeah, the USA (#1) who probably could send two national teams and they'd play off for Gold and Silver.

So while the Aussies have gone the conservative route and not looked at players ready to step up such as Sami Whitcomb (only one naturalised player allowed and that's Mitchell), a more-than-capable Shyla Heal, a desperately unlucky Lauren Nicholson, Sara Blicavs or Darcee Garbin, the challenge of bringing home a medal is a particularly arduous one.

It's not as if rival nations have stood still while Australia has seen players from our genuine golden era such as Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Kristi Harrower shuffle off into retirement.

They have been gaining on us.

Of course, the counter argument is the Opals were back collecting Silver at the last FIBA World Cup after failing so dismally at the previous Rio Olympics.

And they were pretty happy about it too. I recall the commentary from within the Opals camp was "We're back where we belong," which, presumably means back in the USA's shadow on the dais.

As already stated, it is great the girls are talking about Gold. But at a tournament such as this one, coming home empty-handed is just as possible an option.

The team was completely as expected: Mitchell, Bec Allen, O'Hea, George, Liz Cambage, Katie Ebzery, Steph Talbot, Ezi Magbegor, Alanna Smith, Marianna Tolo, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen.

It's solid but safe. Not always sure "safety first" is the best course when chasing a maiden Gold. But they unquestionably will carry our hopes with pride. Hopes and expectations are not always the same though.

Australia's Opals Schedule at Tokyo Olympic Games:

GROUP C
July 27 v Belgium, 5.20pm local
July 30 v China, 9pm local
August 2 v Puerto Rico, 9pm local

GROUP A
Spain, Canada, Serbia, Korea

GROUP B
USA, France, Japan, Nigeria

The teams placed first and second in each group and the two best third-placed teams in the Group Phase qualify for the Final Phase. The remaining four teams are eliminated.

The Quarter-Finals will be played on August 4, Bronze Medal Game on August 7, and the Gold Medal Game on August 8.