Former Kiwis international Issac Luke's stay with the St George Illawarra Dragons has been short lived, having been granted a release to join the Brisbane Broncos just months into his stay in Sydney.
The 33-year-old joined the Dragons from the Warriors prior to the start of the 2020 NRL season, but ultimately played just three games before requesting a transfer.
Luke has family on the Sunshine Coast, close to the Broncos' base, which he says is the primary motivation for his move.
"With support from the club and their understanding they were happy to release me to take an opportunity in Brisbane, where my family and I were going to live after footy finished," Luke writes in a tweet.
He dismisses any suggestion that his decision was based on any unrest within the embattled club, which is mired at the bottom of the NRL ladder.
"This has nothing to do with what has been going on here and I advise youse all to wake yourselves up. I'm doing this for my family."
Luke was named to face Cronulla on Sunday but is all but certain to be granted an immediate release to join an injury-hit Brisbane side as soon as this week.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor denies suggestions Luke was disgruntled with the club, who have yet to win a game this season.
"Issac (came to see me)... a couple of weeks ago about a few matters," McGregor tells Fox Sports.
"Nothing to do with mine and his relationship. You can talk to him about that. It’s about some other things."
Luke was signed as a backup for starting hooker Cameron McInnes. But after just 150 minutes of gametime for the Dragons, the veteran will now be asked to fill in for the injured Jake Turpin, as well as help with the development of young rake Cory Paix.
