Edrick Lee

Background

Born and raised in Brisbane, Queensland, Lee is of Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander descent. Lee began playing rugby league at age 12 for Easts Mount Gravatt. A keen basketball player in his youth, Lee represented the Brisbane Bullets development squad before deciding to focus on rugby league.

Lee is the cousin of NBA basketball player, Patty Mills. and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Brenko Lee.

Playing career

In 2010, Lee was playing rugby league in Brisbane's division two competition for Mt Gravatt, situated in the Brisbane Broncos official catchment area, when he was spotted by Souths Logan Magpies scout Brian Edwards. Edwards recruited Lee to the Magpies under 20s squad. After 8 games, Edwards contacted Canberra Raiders development officer David Hamilton, who signed Lee to play for the Raiders Toyota Cup side for 2011. In his first season for the Raiders under 20s side, Lee played 14 games, scoring 5 tries, playing wing, second row and off the bench. In 2012, Lee was included in the Raiders first grade trial against the Melbourne Storm, in which he scored a try. On 9 March 2012, Lee re-signed with Canberra for a further 2 years, until the end of the 2014 NRL season. Lee cemented his spot in the centres for the Raiders under 20's in 2012, scoring 11 tries in their first 10 games. One of the form players to start the year, Lee was called up to represent Queensland in the inaugural Under 20's State of Origin. Lee scored 2 tries in the 18-14 loss to New South Wales at Penrith Stadium.

2012

In round 12 of the 2012 NRL season, Lee made his NRL debut on the wing for the Raiders against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Raiders 18-36 loss at ANZ Stadium. In his third first grade game, in round 14, against the Newcastle Knights, Lee scored his first and second NRL career tries in the Raiders 32-16 win at Hunter Stadium. Lee finished his debut year in the NRL with playing in 7 matches and scoring 6 tries. Lee was listed on 23 of September in Lifestyle Uncuts' Top Ten Youngsters in the NRL, alongside players such as Nathan Green and Paul Carter.

2013

In round 13, against the Broncos, Lee broke his arm with 15 minutes remaining. He remained on the field in the Raiders 30-18 win, resulting in Lee being praised for the toughness he showed. Lee also scored a try in the match. The fracture ended Lee's season. He had played in 9 matches and scored 7 tries. On 23 October, Lee re-signed with the Canberra Raiders until the end of the 2017 season.

2014

In round 3, against the Gold Coast Titans, Lee was originally ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing ligaments in his foot during the Raiders 12-24 loss. He made a return in round 22 and finished the year with 2 tries from 8 appearances.

2015

In June, Lee was named as 18th man for Queensland leading up to game 3 of the 2015 State of Origin series. He finished the 2015 season having played in 23 matches and scored 12 tries. He was named in the Prime Minister's XIII train-on squad but was ruled out due to injury.

2016

At the start of the year, Lee was selected in the QAS Emerging Maroons squad. On 5 February, Lee was one of eight players from the Maroons emerging camp who was banned from representing Queensland for 12-months after breaking curfew in Brisbane. On 13 February, Lee played on the wing for the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars in the 8-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium. In the Raiders Preliminary Final match against the Melbourne Storm, Lee had a game to forget after he made two crucial knock-ons as the Raiders lost 12-14 at AAMI Park. Lee finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Raiders.

2017

On 23 February 2017, Lee signed a 2-year deal the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks after being released by the Raiders. Lee commented that he was "really excited to be joining the club, I can't wait for this year and I'm grateful for the opportunity." In round 1 of the 2017 NRL season, Lee made his club debut for the Sharks against the Brisbane Broncos, playing on the wing in the 18-26 loss at Shark Park. In round 3, against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Lee scored his first club try for the Sharks in the 10-16 loss at Shark Park.. Lee spent the majority of The 2017 season with Cronulla's feeder club side The Newtown Jets in The Intrust Super Premiership NSW. On 26 June 2017, Lee was held up over the line with less than 4 minutes to play when playing for Newtown against The Wests Tigers in what some media outlets described as the bombed try of the year. If Lee was to have scored the try it would have leveled the game for Newtown and possibly had won them the match .