2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

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greeneyed
Don Furner
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2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

Post by greeneyed »

2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

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Now it is season over for the Canberra Raiders, we will be reviewing the year of all 31 players who pulled on a green jersey in first grade in 2021. So far, we have looked at the season of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Xavier Savage, Caleb Aekins, Jordan Rapana, Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei, Harley Smith-Shields, Sebastian Kris, Jarrod Croker, Curtis Scott, Matt Timoko, Jack Wighton, Sam Williams, George Williams, Matt Frawley, Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine, Emre Guler, Sia Soliola and Ryan James.

In 2020, with the Raiders racked by an injury crisis, Dunamis Lui stood tall. 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 - and was named Club Person of the Year on Meninga Medal night.

Things didn't go quite so well in 2021. Early in the year, he admitted that he was struggling with the pace of Vlandysball. He was in and out of the team, with his longest stretch in firsts coming between Rounds 10 and 17. He ended up making 11 appearances, nine at starting prop, one at lock and one off the bench.

Lui scored two tries in 2020, more than he ever has in a season. He'd only scored five since making his NRL debut in 2010, but he failed to cross this year. His average minutes fell to 27 (37 in 2020) and his statistics fell commensurately. His average running metres fell from 86 to 51 per game (ranked 10th amongst the Raiders forwards), while his average metres per carry were roughly the same (eight, ranked ninth amongst the Raiders forwards). Only Sia Soliola and Siliva Havili made fewer tackle breaks among the Raiders forwards.

Lui's tackle efficiency rate was about the same as last season (91 per cent), while his missed tackle count per match fell slightly (1.1). He ranked 11th amongst the Raiders forwards for average tackles per game. His try causes fell from three in 2020 to none in 2021. His error count was low and ranked eighth among the Raiders forwards on a per match basis.



I rated him 4.7/10 through the season, with "6" being his highest score (in the Round 12 loss to the Roosters and the Round 14 win over the Broncos). His top tackle count in a match (33) came in the Round 15 loss to the Dragons. He broke the 100 metres gained mark in eight matches last year, but his highest tally in 2021 was 88, in Round 12. He received no points in Fans' Choice Player of the Year voting.

Lui is a journeyman, but found a home at his fourth club, the Raiders. Born in Brisbane, he made his debut for the Broncos, before spending time with the Sea Eagles and Dragons. He's played 169 first grade games in his 12 seasons in the NRL, with more than half of them at Canberra (89). The Raiders have decided not to offer him a new contract for 2022, and he's reportedly looking to get a gig with a Queensland Cup side next year.

Dunamis Lui found a place in the hearts of Raiders fans, because he has always worked so hard to make the most of his talents. Because he's always tried to do his best. Because he always put club first. Because he's a good bloke. 2021 was not his best season - and changes in the rules of the game did not suit him. But if he has played his last game of NRL, the 31 year old can look back on his career with pride.

How did you rate Dunamis Lui's 2021? Tell us below.

Dunamis Lui's 2021: 4/10

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2021 Statistics: (Stats from Fox Sports Lab)
Games: 11
Average minutes: 27
Points: 0
Tries: 0
Try assists: 0
Try contributions: 0
Total try involvements: 0
Total kicks: 0
Kick metres: 0
Total runs: 67
All run metres: 557
Average metres per carry: 8
Average metres per game: 51
Tackle breaks: 10
Offloads: 4
Line breaks: 1
Line break assists: 0
Tackles: 191
Average tackles per game: 17
1 on 1 tackles: 11
Missed tackles: 12
Average missed tackles per game: 1.1
Ineffective tackles: 6
Tackle efficiency: 91 per cent
Try causes: 0
Line break causes: 2
Errors: 4
Penalties conceded: 1
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Matt
Don Furner
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Re: 2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

Post by Matt »

As long and Lui, James and Sia are the same overall, then I'd say it's correct. But I dont think they are.
Good servant, but his time was up
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BadnMean
Steve Walters
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Re: 2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

Post by BadnMean »

Lui just struggled to make any impact with the ball this year. Strange how quick it can turn around since he had a very good back end to 2020, got himself in line for an origin berth. Then just struggled all year.
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Botman
Mal Meninga
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Re: 2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

Post by Botman »

Again, guys like him and Guler, who are high motor players really suffered most from the fitness failures and the compounding impact of that and the new V'landysball style... just a horror season really. Sad to see him go, really thought he moulded himself into a really solid NRL in his time here after coming here as maybe one of the least impressive middle forwards id ever seen.

Nothing but respect fro 'Namis. I'll remember his time here fondly.
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BJ
Steve Walters
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Re: 2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

Post by BJ »

Yep Lui was one of our best goal line defenders over the last few years. Worked really hard around the ruck and never took the dummy.

Saved a few guys bacon, Tapine in particular who unfortunately loves turning his back or falling for the dummy 5 meters out from the line.

I’d still happily have him as a squad filler if I was an NRL boss, but Vlandysball certainly doesn’t suit his style.
RedRaider
Laurie Daley
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Re: 2021 in review - Dunamis Lui

Post by RedRaider »

Never any doubt about the effort he put in. Seemed to lose confidence under the new rules or maybe the player upheaval this year distracted him. Stats show only 4 errors this year which surprised me. I wish him well on his return to Qld.
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