LOOKING to bounce back from a bottom-placed finish last season, the Cairns Taipans recruited some big names in the off-season and will be eager to climb the standings throughout the upcoming 2025/26 NBL fixture.

Although it was far from straightforward, the Taipans were able to retain head coach Adam Forde, who initially departed the team following the 2024/25 season but eventually returned as the team looks to return to postseason action.

Armed with some NBA experience, Cairns looks a different team to the last time it hit the floor, and under Forde, will undoubtedly will be pushing the play-in at least if the Taipans can get it all together over the course of the regular season.

Cairns Taipans

Roster

Admiral Schofield, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Ashton Hagans, Jack McVeigh, Jed Richardson, Kody Stattmann, Kyle Adnam, Kyrin Galloway, Lloyd McVeigh, Marcus Lee, Mawot Mag, Reyne Smith, Sam Waardenburg

The Taipans made some huge additions over the offseason, adding some former NBA players as well as some guns who have recently represented Australia at international level. The Taipans certainly have the roster to take their performance to the next level, and if it all clicks, could emerge as a sneaky contender for the title.

Key player – Jack McVeigh

The NBL’s newest million dollar man was one of the biggest signings in recent memory, joining the team after being released by the Tasmania JackJumpers and a solid stint at NBA level with the Houston Rockets. Now, he is Cairns’ marquee signing, and will be looking to get back to the form that saw McVeigh win Grand Final MVP as a member of the JackJumpers in 2024. At his best, McVeigh is one of the best shotmakers in the competition, and is capable of scoring from ridiculous spots, including his famous half-court heave that proved a match-winner in the NBL finals. For the Taipans, he will be the number one man on the offensive end, and if he can take that responsibility with both hands, he could prove integral to his side’s finals hopes.

Key to success – Backing up the ‘all-in’ talk early in the fixture

The Taipans have made their aspirations for the upcoming season as clear as possible – win it all and nothing less – and they will need to get off to a strong start in the early rounds of the fixture given the state of play for the competition. Plenty of sides will be eager to be in that championship window after active performances in the offseason – the Taipans among them – and it will be vital to leap ahead of the pack in the first few weeks in order to establish ladder position. Although there were concerns around a lack of playmaking, the Taipans have managed to work around this issue, even starting five forwards in one of the games in the Blitz, so while they may have some unorthodox methods and have not secured a preseason win, they look as adaptable as anyone.

In a sentence

The Taipans made some big signings over the offseason by retaining Forde and adding the likes of McVeigh and Schofield, and if they can get find their groove early and get the most out of their new additions, they could return to the finals.