Five Key Stats
Games | 6
All Running Metres | 539
Post-Contact Metres | 157
Tackles | 106
Hit-ups | 49
Best Match of the Season
Round Two | Raiders 21 defeated Roosters 20
Lima played 44 minutes in searing heat to help the Raiders narrowly defeat the Roosters. Arguably the Raiders best forward on the day, Lima ran for 145 metres and made 30 tackles.
Summary
Jeff Lima's first season back in the NRL after two years in the Super League didn't go as smoothly as he would have hoped.
The former premiership winner with the Melbourne Storm was a shock signing for the Raiders, after appearing destined to finish his career with the Catalans Dragons.
Lima showed no signs of slowing down however, putting together a great pre-season and earning his debut cap for the Raiders in the Round One win over the Panthers.
Surprising many with his outstanding start to the season, misfortune struck when Lima fractured his hand early in Round Four against the Titans. The injury sidelined Lima for close to two months, eventually returning in Round 11 against the Warriors.
After two solid games back, more bad luck hit the 34-year old veteran, sustaining a hip injury that ruled him out for close to ten weeks.
Lima did return for the Mounties and played a significant role in their charge to the ISP NSW Grand Final, however, he wasn't able to earn a recall to the first-grade squad.
With the Raiders possessing plenty of young forwards, Lima is a proven winner who benefits the club immensely on and off the field with his experience. While nearing the end of his career, Lima showed in his start to 2016 that he is able to provide a huge boost on the field to the Raiders in 2017.
