Hoffman faces Storm in 250th NRL match

Ryan Hoffman can see the irony.

After 11 seasons and 245 appearances for Melbourne, the new Warriors back-rower will bring up game 250 against the Storm at AAMI Park on Monday night.

“Somebody at the NRL has got a sense of humour,” he said.

The 31-year-old was confident the occasion wouldn’t get to him, even if he will be back in familiar surroundings.

“For me personally, it’s going back to a place where I’ve got some very fond memories but I’m looking forward to making some fond memories with the Warriors,” Hoffman said.

“It has to be business. There are two points on offer and we need to start building momentum.”

The Kangaroos and NSW Origin representative has been among the Warriors’ best so far in a 2-2 start to the season, adding three tries to his general work around the field.

Despite his long association with Melbourne, he doubts there’s too much inside information he can offer.

He said there were few secrets in rugby league and everyone knew the Melbourne game plan.

“Where Melbourne stand out from others is they execute really well,” he said.

“It’s going to come down to defending their plays as best we can and taking our opportunities when they come.”

Both clubs are coming off close losses, Melbourne going down to North Queensland in a golden-point thriller.

The Warriors fell to Brisbane 24-16 after coming back from a 16-0 deficit to tie the score before conceding a late penalty and a converted try.

“It showed you cannot give a team a 16-point head start,” Hoffman said.

“It also showed we have a team that can score points and can worry teams, but it needs to be 80-minute performances.”

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