Page 77 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

TAIPANS 20 SEASON ANNIVERSARY
TH

a few stage shows – I credit that to my he continues to collaborate with Sam on the way he walks down the side of
Dad,” Sam said. “I’ve followed in his sketches and helps him on game nights the court, how he dances, the way he
footsteps, because as a kid I watched him - working together to ensure Joe Blake’s singles out someone in the crowd who’s
get up in that work sense, have a good performances are memorable. not clapping or blatantly taunts the
time and put on a show. I could always opposition,” he said.
see myself, if the opportunity arose, “It doesn’t matter who is in the suit. Joe
jumping in. It wasn’t necessarily as Joe, Blake is a character - it’s the way he was
but I always wanted to get into Taipans I’m not saying I’m Joe Blake. created. He has his own personality, and
entertainment, somehow.” in the next 20 years it still won’t matter -
Dave is one of a select few who have been But you’ll never see us together he’ll still be the notorious Taipans mascot
involved with the Taipans every season in the same room. everyone loves to hate.”
since game one in 1999 – firstly as a radio
reporter before becoming the sideline - Sam Evans
spruiker. He later went on to “allegedly”
take on the role of Joe Blake (after Matt “Eight years ago, Joe Blake was a cross
Bolton, allegedly) and the rest is Evans between your drunk uncle at Christmas
family history. and the school larrikin,” Dave said. “He
“There aren’t many entertainers in Cairns could do just about anything and get
who get to perform in front of up to 5000 away with it, because everyone thought
people 14 times a year,” Dave said. “And it was funny. But, times have changed
not only perform, but to do it in front of and now he has to be a little bit more
an energetic crowd that feed off of it.” politically correct.”
Dave has previously been named the Club Sam agrees, and like-father like-son,
Person of the Year by the Taipans for his notably always refers to Joe Blake as a
entertainment efforts, and although he third person.
has since passed on the mascot baton, “It’s how Joe interacts at games - in

Never underestimate the ‘ ’ team

www.marshproperty.com.au
77 • tropicnow.com.au