Tomorrow's game against Leeds Rhinos at the Magic Weekend will take on even more significance for Michael McIlorum with the Wigan hooker set to make his 200th appearance for the Club.
Having made his debut in a Challenge Cup Quarter Final against Harlequins in 2008, the Yorkshireman has gone on to establish himself as one of the finest in his position.
An England international, McIlorum has won six major honours with the Warriors - the Challenge Cup, League Leaders Shield and Grand Final all on two occasions.
Reflecting back on his time at Wigan so far, the popular hooker admits he never envisaged playing so many games for the Warriors when he started out.
"You don't think about the long-term when you make your debut." He said. "You're just happy to be in the team and fighting for your spot. Then it's about keeping your form, being a regular in the team. Before you know it you've played 100, 150, 200 games for the team so it's a great achievement."
From a fresh faced youngster in the shadows of Micky Higham, Mark Riddell and Shane Millard, McIlorum has developed a mature professional to whom George Williams, Sam Powell and Logan Tomkins all now turn to for advice.
He admits he now finds it strange being one of the older heads in the team.
"There's Lockers, Mango (Matty Bowen) and Smeegs (Matty Smith) that are older than me, we've got quite a young team. It doesn't seem like five minutes ago since I was making my debut but now I'm one of the older fellas so it soon comes round and now I've got to really try and help the young kids."
Micky, who has six England caps, picked out the double win in 2013 with Shaun Wane as one of the highlights of his time at Wigan and says he is working on improving his game as he looks to help Wigan kick on this season.
On his form in 2015, he said: "It's been going well, Deacs and Waney have been helping me more with my attack, try and be a bit more of an attacking threat. Deacs has been showing me clips after every game, trying to show me how I can do different things and little subtle movements and stuff. I'm trying to improve on my game and hopefully I am doing that.
"I was disappointed to miss out (for England) through injury last year, hopefully I can stay injury free and all being well I'll be in Steve Mac's thoughts at the end of the year."
Fans are invited to share their memories of Micky on twitter using the hashtag #Micky200
http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... Xq74eYk.99
Micky Set for 200th Game
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josie andrews
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Micky Set for 200th Game
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
One to remember please Micky, well done.
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
He's been immense. Super-human.
MOTM for me. With Williams, Bowen, Bateman and Burgess in close contention.
MOTM for me. With Williams, Bowen, Bateman and Burgess in close contention.
Footballers spend 90 minutes pretending they're injured. Rugby League players spend 80 minutes pretending they're not.
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TrueBlueWarrior
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Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
Best Hooker in the League end of story!!yokozuna wrote:He's been immense. Super-human.
MOTM for me. With Williams, Bowen, Bateman and Burgess in close contention.
'If you start listening to the fans it won't be long before you're sitting with them.' - Wayne Bennett
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
Was telling my Dad that earlier today (he's a Leeds fan), and he thought I was having a laugh.TrueBlueWarrior wrote:Best Hooker in the League end of story!!yokozuna wrote:He's been immense. Super-human.
MOTM for me. With Williams, Bowen, Bateman and Burgess in close contention.
I'm laughing now
Footballers spend 90 minutes pretending they're injured. Rugby League players spend 80 minutes pretending they're not.
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
I'd say that's his best game ever for Wigan. Usual bits of daftness but when our tails were down he almost single handled lifted them back up again. Defo a Captain in waiting.
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
It was definitely up there, but I think the Grand Final win against Warrington was another exceptional performance from him and he should have got the MOTM in that game for me.jobo wrote:I'd say that's his best game ever for Wigan. Usual bits of daftness but when our tails were down he almost single handled lifted them back up again. Defo a Captain in waiting.
Footballers spend 90 minutes pretending they're injured. Rugby League players spend 80 minutes pretending they're not.
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
He was excellent in that game but so where a good few others. What impressed me tonight and I've not always been his biggest fan, was the way he kept on and dragged us back when it looked as if we were looking at a good beating.yokozuna wrote:It was definitely up there, but I think the Grand Final win against Warrington was another exceptional performance from him and he should have got the MOTM in that game for me.jobo wrote:I'd say that's his best game ever for Wigan. Usual bits of daftness but when our tails were down he almost single handled lifted them back up again. Defo a Captain in waiting.
True team player.
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
Agree with that. He led by example, and got in the faces of the Leeds players and definitely knocked them off their game. He must be a nightmare to play against, and a joy to have alongside you.jobo wrote:He was excellent in that game but so where a good few others. What impressed me tonight and I've not always been his biggest fan, was the way he kept on and dragged us back when it looked as if we were looking at a good beating.yokozuna wrote:It was definitely up there, but I think the Grand Final win against Warrington was another exceptional performance from him and he should have got the MOTM in that game for me.jobo wrote:I'd say that's his best game ever for Wigan. Usual bits of daftness but when our tails were down he almost single handled lifted them back up again. Defo a Captain in waiting.
True team player.
Footballers spend 90 minutes pretending they're injured. Rugby League players spend 80 minutes pretending they're not.
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Panchitta Marra
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- Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:24 pm
Re: Micky Set for 200th Game
Realised how good this lad was from 2010 Grand Final and he's seldom disappointed me since then.
Loved it today when he was in Peacocks face and Peacock could do sod all about it.
Loved it today when he was in Peacocks face and Peacock could do sod all about it.