IT'S been a long journey for Dean Brebner to become a Taipan - metaphorically and literally speaking.

The forward/centre, who last week sealed the final spot on the Taipans’ roster, moved to Cairns three years ago from Victoria to chase his NBL dream.

He was a development player for his first two seasons here, but his goal of becoming a full-time roster player seemed further away than ever last year when he failed to win a place in the Snakes’ line-up.

But after working on his fitness and game during the QBL season in which he captained the Marlins, Brebner was pitched into a battle with Simon Conn for the last place in the Taipans’ team.

"It’s very nerve racking, you’ve got to come in and give it all you’ve got for that one week," Brebner said of the head-to-head trial with Conn. "I definitely came in and did that and then waiting by the phone was very nerve-racking.

"I really didn’t know what to feel (when I found out), I was shaking and I was really excited.

"It’s always been a dream of mine to play NBL – I’d done that previously but as a development player.

"It had always been a dream to be in the actual team of an NBL team.

"To find out you’ve
actually achieved your goal, your dream – now I’m just ready to get in here, grab it with both hands and go for it."

Brebner paid tribute to his parents, who logged plenty of hours behind the wheel as they drove the youngster around country Victoria to train and play.

"Living in a small country town as a junior – I’m from Camperdown in Victoria – we had to practice in Warrnambool, 45 minutes away," he said. "It’s not that far but for my parents who were both working and owned a fish and chip shop, they’ve got a big part to play in my getting to here.

"Travelling to Melbourne, to Warrnambool, to Terang to play basketball, it’s definitely been a very long road."

After playing college ball in the US, Brebner returned to Australia and lined up for SEABL club Geelong, from where he was recruited by the Taipans.

"It’s been a long journey but it’s been worth it to hear those words that you’ve made it," he said.

"It’s definitely good."

There were times it seemed like 26-year-old Brebner’s dream could be out of reach, especially when he missed the Taipans’ squad last year.

"I was definitely disappointed I didn’t make it – not in the organisation, just in myself," he said.

"I really wanted to be a part of the team but they went in a different direction. That was fine."

But after a talk with Taipans coach Aaron Fearne earlier this year, Brebner had a clear idea of what he had to do.

"He had a talk to me and just said I had to get back in shape, drop my weight and work on a few things in my game," Brebner said.

"I tried to do that in the context of the game, not really think about the Taipans as much when I was playing with the Marlins. This year just to be back and around it all (is great). You’ve got to chase your dream. I’m here now, so it’s definitely worth moving away."