Edrick Lee was another player facing the challenge of returning from a series of injuries in 2015, but he managed to remain injury free to record his finest season to date in his four years in the NRL.
With the exception of one match where he was suspended, Edrick was able to play in every match for the Raiders, scoring tries at crucial periods of matches during the course of the season to cement a place on the left wing for the Green Machine.
His flamboyant style of play makes him a fan favourite, while his ability to find the try line gives the Raiders a quality finisher who can finish off a well-executed backline move.
It took him a while to find the stripe to start the season with his first four pointer not arriving until round 8, but his crucial double in this match against the Rabbitohs helped the Raiders secure a memorable come from behind win on ANZAC Day weekend in Cairns.
His strike rate rapidly improved though, as he scored nine tries in his last eleven matches of the season, including the try to send the game into Golden Point against the Eels in the final match of the year. The Raiders would go on to win the match in extra time.
His ability to score tries was one factor of a player who is continuing to develop all of his game, with his work in bringing the ball back from his own end also invaluable during the season.
Combining with the likes of Jack Wighton, Jordan Rapana and Sisa Waqa at the back, the Raiders have talent right across the park for kick returns, with Lee constantly helping the Raiders get on the front foot each time they started a new set of six.
Lee’s 2723 run metres for the season was third only behind fullback Wighton and prop forward Paul Vaughan as he averaged 10 runs a match for 10m each time he ran the ball.
Memorable Moment
The Raiders and Panthers were locked at 24-24 with fifteen minutes remaining in their round 20 match against the Panthers at Pepper Stadium, when Jordan Rapana crossed to give the visitors a slender four point lead heading into the final 15 minutes of the match.
The Panthers managed to find themselves in attacking position with just five minutes left on the clock, with Peter Wallace setting himself with what could have potentially been the match winning play as he kicked over the top for an unmarked Dean Whare.
Wallace launched the kick under pressure and off the boot it looked as though the placement would be perfect, but the long limbs of Edrick Lee charged the ball down and he managed to regain the ball in the one motion. With the ball in hand Lee hit the accelerator and raced 85m to score the try and seal the win for the Green Machine.
Statistics:
Matches |
Runs |
Metres |
Tackles |
Tries |
Try Assists |
Tackle Breaks |
Offloads |
Line Breaks |
23 |
248 |
2723 |
141 |
12 |
4 |
25 |
16 |
7 |
