This is the fifteenth instalment of 2020 in review. As is the tradition, now the Raiders' season is over, we are reviewing all 32 players who pulled on a green jersey this year. So far, we've looked at Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jordan Rapana, Jarrod Croker, Curtis Scott, Nick Cotric, Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei, Michael Oldfield, Jack Wighton, George Williams, Josh Papalii, Josh Hodgson, Tom Starling and Siliva Havili.
Dunamis Lui made 20 appearances for the Raiders in 2020, 15 at starting prop and five off the bench. He was dropped from the top 17 after the Round 5 loss to the Tigers, but was brought back for the Round 9 clash with the Storm - with Sia Soliola, Emre Guler and Corey Horsburgh all on the sidelines with serious injuries. To be frank, before he was dropped he was not playing well - and had simply been overtaken in the pecking order by some of the younger props. He returned a different player. During the injury crisis, not only did Lui lift his on field contributions, the reserved prop became one of the leaders of the pack off the field. At the end of the season, he was ultimately rewarded with selection in the Queensland Maroons squad and an Origin debut.
Lui scored one try in 2019, after a drought that had lasted since 2014. He doubled his try scoring feats this year, crossing twice. His average running metres rose from 74 to 86 per game (ranked fifth amongst the Raiders forwards), while his average metres per carry were roughly the same (eight, ranked tenth amongst the Raiders forwards). He ranked ninth amongst the Canberra forwards for tackle breaks (10).
Lui's tackle efficiency rate was the same as last season (90 per cent), though his missed tackle count per match fell slightly (1.4). He ranked 11th amongst the Raiders forwards for average tackles per game and third for total missed tackles. His try causes fell from six in 2019 to three in 2020. He was equal second amongst the Raiders forwards for try causes - alongside Corey Harawira-Naera - but well behind Elliott Whitehead (10). He also ranked equal first for line break causes (6), with Joe Tapine and Elliott Whitehead. That's still a low number. His error count ranked equal fourth, but also fell in 2020.
We don't have statistics for one on one steals, but Lui became quite expert at the play in 2020 - after being less than successful in executing the ploy last year. He produced a couple of crucial strips in the Round 10 Grand Final re-match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. For mine, that was his best match of the year.
I rated him 6.1/10 through the season, with his overall rating below reflecting his overall contribution to the season. I rated him a "7" in six games - four of them in the month after his return from being dropped. His top tackle count in a match (38) came in the Round 9 loss to the Storm in Canberra. His highest tally for running metres (156) was posted in the Round 20 win for the "Rookie Raiders" against the Sharks. He broke the 100 metres gained mark in eight matches. He took "man of the match" honours in Fans' Choice Player of the Year voting in the Round 11 win over the Rabbitohs. He also picked up Fans' Choice points in the Round 10 win over the Roosters and the Round 20 win over the Sharks.
Lui is a journeyman, but has found a home at his fourth club, the Raiders. This year he clocked up 150 NRL games, and has now made just under half of his first grade appearances in green. He is not amongst the top 10 props in the NRL on any of the statistical indicators, but he is experienced, solid, durable, consistent and always puts in his best efforts. This year, he was presented with the Club Person of the Year award on Meninga Medal night - for his leadership on and off the field.
I wrote at this time last year, that Lui might find it difficult to fight off the challengers for his spot in the side in 2020 - given the number of quality young forwards coming through the system. For a time, it looked like that would be the case. But he certainly stood tall in the club's hour of need this year. And I'm really impressed by how he did it. The recognition he's been given this year - on Meninga Medal night, by Origin selectors, by the fans - is very well deserved.
How did you rate Dunamis Lui's 2020? Tell us below.
Dunamis Lui's 2020: 7/10
2020 Statistics: (Stats from Fox Sports Lab)
Games: 20
Average minutes: 37
Points: 4
Tries: 2
Try assists: 0
Try contributions: 1
Total try involvements: 3
Total kicks: 0
Kick metres: 0
Total runs: 208
All run metres: 1713
Average metres per carry: 8
Average metres per game: 86
Tackle breaks: 10
Offloads: 10
Line breaks: 3
Line break assists: 0
Tackles: 408
Average tackles per game: 20
1 on 1 tackles: 23
Missed tackles: 28
Average missed tackles per game: 1.4
Ineffective tackles: 14
Tackle efficiency: 90 per cent
Try causes: 3
Line break causes: 6
Errors: 8
Penalties conceded: 3
