And having swapped basement boys Brentford for an A-League adventure, the experienced defender also laughs off any suggestion his English exit was the price to pay for his brother’s ‘crimes’ against the new Bees’ boss.

Former Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher is now the man in charge at Griffin Park, his stay Down Under having ended when his former club’s path to A-League glory was ended by Newcastle last season.

One of the goalscorers in that 2-0 triumph was Griffiths’ brother Joel. His services no longer required, Butcher headed back to England, just in time to see Brentford relegated to the lowest tier of professional football.

Griffiths was mentally packing his bags by the time Butcher arrived at the club and there was never any likelihood of the pair working together.

He said: “I didn’t really see too much of Terry to be honest. We did speak briefly about his time in Australia and he seemed a bit bitter about it.

“I’m not sure he would have wanted me to stay and I’d already decided I wasn’t going to stay with Brentford.”

Flying back home to join the same club as his brother has given Griffiths a real lift and he is enjoying his football under coach Gary van Egmond.

He said: “I really didn’t enjoy the long ball game that was being played at Brentford. “Ultimately it didn’t stop us from being relegated. The coach here believes in playing football and that’s very pleasing.”

There is also the bonus of enjoying training in relative peace, without aircraft screaming past overhead.

Brentford’s ground and training ground are both in the flight path to London’s Heathrow airport.

Griffiths joked: “There were times at the training ground where you’d find yourself looking up at what was coming in.

“I feel it’s a positive move for me and it’s obviously great to be back, playing in the same side as my brother.”

Griffiths is not the first Australian to draw a line under his career in the English leagues to head home.

He views it as an extremely positive exodus. He said: “A lot of these guys have been playing abroad for a long time. I think it’s a case of seeing a good league developing here in Australia and wanting to give something back.

“I know the coach is still trying to tie up some new players to add to the squad as well.”

It could be argued however that Griffiths himself is more than a ‘single’ acquisition. He can play in both full-back roles, in the centre of defence and also in midfield.

The Jets, having enjoyed a 1-0 Pre-Season Cup victory over champions Melbourne Victory at the weekend now face Adelaide United.

Griffiths said: “We’re all training very hard and looking forward to getting off to a good start this season. It was great to beat Melbourne and now we have to get a result against Adelaide.”