Veteran forwards Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman have both secured what are likely to be their last playing contracts after finishing up with the Vodafone Warriors.
Lillyman, who turns 34 next March, has been signed on a one-year deal by the Newcastle Knights while Melbourne has today confirmed Hoffman, 34 in January, has an identical contract to return to the Storm.
Front rower Lillyman joined the Vodafone Warriors in 2009 after 62 appearances for North Queensland.
In his nine seasons in Auckland, he played 188 times for the Vodafone Warriors, a club record for an Australian player, to take his career tally to 250; a biceps injury ended his final season in the 24th round.
Lillyman also appeared regularly for Queensland at State of Origin level, making his 14th appearance this season.
Hoffman had played 245 games for the Storm when he joined the Vodafone Warriors in 2015. The club's captain in 2016, he finished his stint in Auckland with his 60th outing in the last round of the regular season. Earlier he joined the NRL’s 300-game club in the away win over Gold Coast.
Hoffman also continued his Origin career in his first season with the Vodafone Warriors, taking his New South Wales tally to 14 appearances.
