It's a big game for ... Ryan Hoffman

Ryan Hoffman during the NRL match between the Storm and Warriors at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia. Anzac Day, Monday 25 April 2016. © Copyright Image: Jeff Crow / www.photosoprt.nz

Author: Richard Becht , Image: www.photosport.nz
Timestamp: Tue 25 Apr 2017, 05:53 PM

Every Vodafone Warriors-Melbourne match-up has an extra edge to it but tonight’s will be even more special for veteran second rower Ryan Hoffman.

The 33-year-old has seen the traditional derby from both sides of the fence, 19 times for Melbourne from 2003-2014 and four for the Vodafone Warriors since 2015.

This fifth outing for the Vodafone Warriors against his former club could be his last (unless they should go on to on to meet in the finals). It will certainly be his second and last Anzac match playing against the Storm (the Vodafone Warriors and Melbourne didn’t meet each other on Anzac Day in 2015).

‘Hoff’ finishes up with the Vodafone Warriors at the end of this season, a campaign which is set to deliver him two career milestones – his 50^th appearance for the Vodafone Warriors (tonight he plays his 49^th match) and his 300^th game overall (this will be his 294^th outing).

Tonight he’ll also be seeking to savour a first – playing in a winning Vodafone Warriors side against the Storm, having missed the memorable 28-14 victory over the Storm at Mount Smart Stadium in 2015.