TATTOOED TAIPANS SUPERFAN SEES PROMISE IN NEW SNAKES
TAIPANS superfan Duane Wakeham swore he’d get the club’s logo tattooed on his shoulder after the Snakes’ epic double-overtime win over the New Zealand Breakers in game two of the grand final series in 2011 and has never regretted it.
Former import Ron Dorsey was the hero that night, tying the game with a 30-foot threepointer over CJ Bruton at the end of the first extra period.
From there, the Snakes didn’t look back, prevailing 85-81, much to the relief of Wakeham, who had to walk outside twice during the game to calm himself down.
“I remember I turned to the family and said ‘I’ll get the tattoo if they win this’,” the proud Far North Queenslander said. “To this day, it is my only tattoo.”
A proud member of the Orange Army, Wakeham started attending games in 2002, rarely missing a home game for more than a decade.
During that time, retired club legend Aaron Grabau grew to become his favourite player, with man mountain Matt Smith a close second.
“Grabau was just sheer tenacity, no-nonsense ankle-biting mongrel defence,” he said. “He reminded me of that angry chihuahua that wouldn’t leave you alone.
“Matty Smith would always stop and have a yarn. He’s a really genuine person and ... a great guy.”
With the Taipans’ 2018/19 campaign kicking off with an 88-70 away win over the Brisbane Bullets, Wakeham said he was excited to see the revamped squad go to work in their home opener this weekend against the Illawarra Hawks.