3 minute read

Injured Melbourne Storm centre Brenko Lee will return home to Brisbane after signing a two-year NRL deal with the Brisbane Broncos.

Melbourne and Brisbane have traded Queensland Origin backs with Brenko Lee joining the Broncos for the 2022 NRL season.

The Storm lured young Maroons winger Xavier Coates south, but new dad Lee has gone the other way to be closer to his Brisbane family, signing a two-year deal.

Lee had a memorable 2020 season with Melbourne, starting on a train-and-trial contract and finishing as a premiership winner and State of Origin player for Queensland after cementing his role as a starting centre.

However, injuries this season have kept him from adding to his tally of 14 matches for the Storm.

"I'll always be grateful for the opportunity Storm gave me at the start of last year and I'm very thankful to have been coached by Craig Bellamy," Lee said.

"Not only has he changed my footy, he's also changed my life.

"I feel like I'll be leaving Melbourne as a more mature man, with a partner and a new baby, and a better person overall."

As well as Lee, the Broncos have re-signed veteran winger David Mead and youngsters Teui Robati and Selwyn Cobbo.