Lillyman, Thompson set for milestone match against Raiders

Jacob Lillyman (pictured) and Bodene Thompson will both bring up milestones against the Raiders this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors insist they are keeping their feet on the ground following their impressive away win over the Gold Coast Titans and are determined to produce another strong showing against the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday (5pm kickoff).

Prop Jacob Lillyman and second-rower Bodene Thompson will celebrate a double milestone against the Raiders, with the Queensland State of Origin front-rower Lillyman making his 200th NRL appearance, and Kiwis forward Thompson will play his 100th first-grade match.

Lillyman and New South Wales second-rower Ryan Hoffman will both start the game, after coming off the bench against the Titans, while rookie utility Tui Lolohea and prop Albert Vete come back into the side.

Lolohea replaces impressive right-wing Ken Maumalo, who is out after suffering an ankle injury against the Titans, and Vete - 18th man last weekend - returns in place of Sebastine Ikahihifo.

"We're not getting carried away with it. There are a lot of positives to take out of that (Titans) game but we know that the contest will be a little stiffer this week," said Warriors coach Andrew McFadden.

"It was probably our first real 80 minute performance where we controlled play the whole time.

"That came on the back of all the pressure we built from, one, our middle units, our forwards, really laying the platform, and, secondly, our halves controlling play with their kick-game."

Lillyman, who made his 10th Origin appearance for the Maroons last week, is in his seventh season with the Warriors after joining the club in 2009 following 62 outings for the North Queensland Cowboys.

He'll play his 138th match for the Warriors this week leaving him on target to top fellow Queenslander Micheal Luck's record for the most games for the club by an Australian player (Luck played 150 times from 2006-2012).

Lillyman goes into the match in career-best form after carting the ball 204 metres from 20 runs when he was used off the bench in last Saturday's 36-14 away win over the Gold Coast Titans, just four days after featuring in the second interstate match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Thompson has played all 14 matches so far this season since joining the Warriors from Wests Tigers and previously the Titans, earning back-to-back players' player awards for his stand-out performances in wins over Parramatta and Newcastle last month.

"Jake has been a terrific servant for the Warriors," said McFadden. "He has all the qualities we want to see in our players. He puts in every time he takes the field and is consistently among our best. It's great to see him reaching the 200-game mark.

"Bodene has been a great acquisition for the club as we expected he would be. He works so hard and is adding more to his game as the season goes on. Like Jake, he's so consistent."

The Warriors are seeking their fifth straight win against the Raiders. In 33 clashes between the two sides they are just behind on the wins ledger 16-17 but have a 10-6 record in 16 matches at home. Heading into this round the home side is seventh on the table with 16 points with the Raiders ninth on 14.

Warriors: 1. Sam Tomkins, 2. Tui Lolohea, 3. Konrad Hurrell, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Chad Townsend, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Nathan Friend, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Simon Mannering.
Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 16. Charlie Gubb, 17. Albert Vete.