Moments that have led to Taipans’ rise

Series of player movements has steered side to where they are now

SOMETIMES, you need a little luck to go your way.

And, as the Cairns Taipans prepare for their first finals tilt in three campaigns, two sliding doors moments have helped define their season.

They will probably end up being footnotes in the history of this season, and the club more broadly, but the impact, or lack thereof, from former players Tom Jervis and Melo Trimble have been crucial to the way the 2019-20 summer has played out in FNQ.

What would Mike Kelly’s second season in charge look like if the team had signed Trimble to that massive deal they went out of their way to offer up and Tom Jervis did not suddenly retire out of the blue, just weeks after agreeing a twoyear contract?

In the Snakes’ initial plans, Trimble was coming back for a second season on massive cash, and Jervis, a respected defensive stopper but lacking offensively, was coming in to play Nate Jawai’s role.

Here’s a red hot tip: the chances of the Snakes being 16-10 and considered a championship threat would be really slim.

Cairns lucked into landing MVP candidate Scott Machado, who has almost reinvigorated the club himself. And, the way it is looking, the experienced floor general is set to spend a little longer in FNQ with his contract extension

What do you think of this? @jgerrans

Tell us what you think being worked out now. What does this team look like now with Trimble and Jervis in it?

Well, firstly, co-captain DJ Newbill does not become the player he has been alongside Trimble again. He has said as much himself, declaring how important Machado has been to his quality play and increased growth this season.

With the extra cash going towards Trimble – does the club have enough in the salary cap to sign Cameron Oliver, Mirko Djeric and Kouat Noi? Or, two of those three?

Maybe they do have enough for all three, but the big money going to Trimble would have made it tighter elsewhere.

To bring the score-first Trimble back for a second season in Cairns would have been a mistake, which Melbourne United, tonight’s opponents, are enjoying right now.

There is no doubting Kelly and the Taipans’ playing group have far exceeded expectations this season – plain and simple they have just been excellent since they were 2-6 all those months ago.

But, luck has been on their side since the first day of preseason and hopefully it can stick with them through a big finals series.

Picture: PAUL KANE/GETTY IMAGES SLIDING DOORS: The sudden retirement of Tom Jervis just weeks after signing on with the Taipans, after previously playing with the Wildcats, changed the make-up of the side.