Former Titan Brenko Lee signs with Easts Tigers

A former Gold Coast Titan has signed with a Melbourne Storm affiliated club in what his coach called a “perfect” situation to revive his NRL career.

Brenko Lee of the Titans on his way to scoring a try during the Round 18 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Melbourne Storm in 2019. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

FORMER Gold Coast Titan Brenko Lee has been plucked out of rugby league wilderness after signing with a Queensland rugby league powerhouse in a bid to revive his NRL career.

Lee was not re-signed by the Titans at the end of the 2019 season after two years and 20 games on the Gold Coast but was expected to put pen to paper with another NRL team during the off-season.

But the 24-year-old wing/centre remained unsigned, which left an opportunity for former Gold Coast assistant and current Easts Tigers coach Craig Hodges to pounce and add the 53-game NRL player to a rejuvenated roster at Langlands Park.

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“We kind of just kept in contact during the off-season to see what was happening with him, I expected him to be snapped up by another NRL club,” Hodges said.

Brenko Lee of the Raiders scores a try during his time with the Canberra Raiders. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“However that didn’t happen and what I think is a great opportunity for both us and him (Lee) came up and we were able to get him to sign with us.

“It took time and it’s all happened pretty late but we’re incredibly excited to add someone of Brenko’s calibre to our club.”

Lee, who started his career at the Canberra Raiders before a stint at the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, will train with the Melbourne Storm up until Christmas before joining the Tigers pre-season training.

New Easts Tigers coach Craig Hodges.

And Hodges, who has a relationship with Lee from the Gold Coast, said he believed being with the Tigers and in a Melbourne Storm system was the “perfect” situation for the former Junior Kangaroo to revive his NRL career.

“Obviously Melbourne have an incredible track record with developing players and getting the best out of players, who have already been in the NRL,” he said.

“So I think being part of that system and putting some good games together with us will do wonders for him just to regain some confidence and some form and try and break back into the NRL.

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“I have no doubt after playing well with us, he’ll be back there in no time.”

Hodges said he expected Lee to have a big impact on their side and also expected to sign several more NRL quality players before season kick-off next year.