Two points better than 300 for Hoff

Warriors second rower Ryan Hoffman will become the 27th NRL player in history to hit the 300- game mark when he takes the field against the Titans today.

The former Storm premiership winner is the third player to register the milestone while at the Warriors, following in the footsteps of experienced forwards Steve Price and Ruben Wiki.

The 33- year- old debuted in 2003 as a 19- year- old and racked up 245 games with the Storm across t wo stints and is playing his 55th game with the Warriors. He also had a season playing with Wigan in the UK Super League.

“It i s something that I am very proud of,” Hoffman said.

“Obviously you don’t set out to play this many games — I just wanted to play as many as I could. To get to 300 i s something that I am really proud of and hold really close to my heart but the overriding factor of this weekend is about us getting two competition points.

“I appreciate all the stuff the club is doing but I know as a playing group we are really focused on getting the job done against the Titans.”

Earlier this week, Hoffman posted a photo on Instagram after his debut with the Storm back in 2003. Alongside him in the photo were his then teammates Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and current Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney.

The humble Hoffman admits that moment holds a special place in his career highlights.

“It was round six against Manly at Brookvale,” he said looking back. “Unfortunately we didn’t get the win but it was something that I was really proud of.

“Cam and Bill — I was living with them at the time — I think Bill had debuted in round one and Smithy had played t wo games the year before. To live with two guys and to start our careers all at the same time was pretty special.

“For myself, being a young back rower, having Stephen Kearney in the team as an idol and role model for me was something pretty special as well.

“I didn’t know that I would still be playing 15 years and 299 games later but I am still here and loving it as much as I did in game one.”

Hoffman will leave the Warriors at the end of the season but is hopeful of continuing his career next season.

“I just have a flat out love for the game,” he said. “I just love playing rugby league. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve everything I’ve wanted to do in rugby league — grand finals, playing for Australia and New South Wales. For me, it is just because I love it. I realise how much fun winning is and winning grand finals is, so I want to keep doing it so I can get more.”