Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said they chose to release Lee and Shaun Fensom due to salary cap pressure.

Stuart said letting the players go was the toughest call of his coaching career but necessary to future success.

The Sharks snapped up Lee in the wake of Ben Barba’s release with the flyer a chance for running out for his new club in the season opener against Brisbane next Thursday night.

Fensom is yet to be snapped up by another club.