But the bruises the Canberra guard cops in matches are nothing compared with the excruciating pain she's endured in her battle to overcome osteitis pubis.

A few months ago the 30-year-old could hardly walk, and has been doing mind-numbing rehab every day to beat the debilitating condition.

Cosier has watched on helplessly as the Capitals have begun their season with just one win from seven matches.

And that frustration is driving her to do everything she can to return to the line-up as soon as possible.

''When I first had it [in May], just sitting or standing - it was constant pain,'' Cosier said.

''I had days where I could hardly walk, but I haven't been in pain for four or five weeks so that's a good sign.''

One of Canberra's starters last year, Cosier began straight line running and ''catch and shoot'' drills last week.

She hopes to get the all-clear to increase her movement further from doctors today, and has targeted Canberra's clash with AIS on December14 as her potential return.

''Hopefully next week I'll be able to do some shooting drills with them [teammates],'' Cosier said.

''I've always been aiming to get back before Christmas, and that's still the goal.''

Cosier is renowned for her effort plays, like pouncing on loose balls and defying her size on the boards.

That touch of desperation she provides has been missing from Canberra's play at times this year.

''That's how I play, I like doing the hard-yard stuff and jumping on loose balls,'' she said.

''There's just simple things we're lacking like crashing the boards.

''The last two there's been a lot of improvement but we have to stay focused the whole 40 minutes.''

Retired Canberra Raiders legend Alan Tongue knows how excruciating osteitis pubis can be.

Tongue missed a big chunk of the 2010 season with the condition, and described it as one of the toughest injuries he had experienced.