NRL 2023: Dolphins release Brenko Lee ending his professional career in Australia

Brenko Lee’s turbulent NRL career is over with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett brokering a release for the former Queensland Origin hero.

Brenko Lee. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Brenko Lee’s turbulent NRL career is over with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett brokering a release for the former Queensland Origin hero to chase a swansong in England.

This masthead can reveal the Dolphins on Tuesday negotiated a severance package for Lee to depart the club, effectively immediately, as the former Broncos utility back looks to a fresh chapter in Super League.

The 27-year-old was contracted to the Dolphins until the end of next season, but Lee has played his final game for the expansion club after Bennett rubber-stamped his departure.

It is understood five Super League clubs are circling Lee, who played 13 games for the Dolphins this season as a foundation recruit for the NRL’s 17th franchise after his off-season move from Brisbane rivals the Broncos.

Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader confirmed Lee will not report for the club’s 2024 pre-season after his request for an immediate release was granted.

Brenko Lee and the Dolphins brokered a release. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

“We have mutually agreed with his management to a release from the final year of his contract and wish him the best of luck in the next stage of his career,” Reader said.

“He was especially important in that first half of the season as we were establishing the way the Dolphins wanted to play.

“Brenko will always be remembered as a foundation player who was part of that spectacular round-one win over the Roosters.”

Lee had the ultimate rollercoaster NRL career, amassing 88 games playing for six clubs during a nine-year career, including stints with Canberra, Canterbury, the Titans, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Dolphins.

The strapping centre or winger had a dream campaign with the Storm in 2020 that saved his career.

On the verge of retirement after a failed code switch to the Melbourne Rebels, Lee was picked up by the Storm and he played a stunning role in the Storm’s success, winning a premiership ring in their grand-final defeat of the Panthers.

The Storm’s triumph propelled Lee into the Origin arena, with the 104kg hulk playing his one and only game for Queensland in their epic 20-14 defeat of NSW in the series decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Lee failed to capitalise on his premiership and Maroons heroics, enduring an injury-riddled eight-game stint at the Broncos before being given a chance at the Dolphins by Bennett, the coach who handed him his Origin debut.

With Broncos ace Herbie Farnworth and Bulldogs utility Jake Averillo joining the Dolphins next season, Lee faced an uphill battle winning a starting spot in the Dolphins backline next season.

The former Tongan World Cup Test representative will start afresh in England, where he has attracted interest from the likes of Catalans Dragons, Hull KR, Huddersfield and Leeds.

Brenko Lee joined the Dolphins after a stint at the Broncos. Picture NRL photos

Lee said he will always cherish his fairytale season with Melbourne and the Maroons and his role in the dawn of the Dolphins.

“I have achieved a lot within the NRL,” he said.

“I won a grand final and State of Origin series along with being one of the inaugural Dolphins players, all of which I am proud of.

“I am looking for a new challenge and Super League is something I have always wanted to test myself in.”

Lee’s agent Chris Orr confirmed a number of Super League clubs are ready to sign the hard-running utility back.

“We’re currently talking to a number of clubs, including Catalans and Leeds, there’s a bit of interest,” said Orr of PSM.

“Brenko helped Wayne and the Dolphins kickstart their NRL campaign, but he now wants a different challenge in the Super League.”