With the top-tier competition less than three weeks away from tip-off, officials will run the rule over the Tigers on Wednesday night as they seek to bolster the five existing teams and avoid a season bye.
After crushing the Leprechauns in Division 1 reserves recently, the Tigers will meet the first-grade sides from the Cutters and Sharks in a Martyn St trial to determine their sustainability in the higher league.
The Tigers had initially ended their three-year association with Division 1 after losing the bulk of their squad in the off-season. But the impressive efforts of the club’s younger brigade during pre-season have renewed hopes of a return.
“If they fair really well (on Wednesday night) they will go up,” Cairns Netball official Kym Mcphee-Smith said.
“They are hopeful and they want to play A-grade but it just depends if they can compete.
“But it would be great for the whole competition to have six teams so we can avoid the bye.”
The decision may also have repercussions on the lower leagues, with Division 2 side Radars – made up primarily of Marlins players – eyeing off promotion to Division 1 reserves should the Tigers’ bid get the green light.
The final week of the Avanti Sprint Preseason Challenge, washed out by cyclone Ita last week, will now be played May 2.
That will also push the start of the season proper, back a week to May 9.
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