'Thankful' Thompson prepares to bring up huge NRL milestone against premiers

His NRL debut was a dream come true and if it all ended there, after just one game with the Canberra Raiders, he'd still class himself pretty lucky to have played at the highest level.

So you can understand the euphoria the Forbes Magpies junior is experiencing in the lead-up to his 200^th game on Saturday.

Thompson will run out for the Manly Sea Eagles - the club he and his grandmother supported growing up - at Lottoland this weekend against the defending premiers, the Sydney Roosters.

Thompson was born in Ivanhoe and spent much of his youth in Forbes, after living in Gundagai and Wagga as well, and 50 of the former Red Bend student's family and friends will make the trip to Brookvale for the milestone match.

"Rugby league has done everything for me and my family, and I'm so thankful," Thompson told the super radio network on Tuesday.

"There's good years and bad years and you just have to take it for what it is.

"We're still is a really good position being rugby league players and doing something we love.

"Sometimes it doesn't go your way; you get injuries, poor form ... it's just turning up and doing the best you can and that's what I've found. I turn up and do my job the best I can, and that's how I've played my career."

It's a career that's spanned 12 years and three NRL clubs, with a stint at the St George Illawarra Dragons sandwiched between his time at the Raiders and now Manly.

The hard-running backrower is off contract at the end of the 2019 season and is philosophical about his future in the game.

The 30-year-old says if he gets that tap on the shoulder "that's just footy" and a potential move to England to play in the Super League wouldn't phase him or his family.

"There's no stress. I know how footy works," he added.

"You've got to play decent footy to get the chat around contracts and that's all I'm focused on."

And so that focus turns to Saturday's clash with the Roosters.

Both sides started the 2019 season with a loss and Thompson says facing the Roosters this early in the season is a test the Sea Eagles have been preparing for throughout a grueling pre-season under new coach Des Hasler.

But you get the feeling after 199 games, Thompson will be ready for it.

Facing adversity is something he's not unfamiliar with.

Thompson is the founder of The Mindset Project and has already begun travelling the state to hold workshops designed to provide much needed education and awareness around mental health and well-being.

"I've really found a balance with giving back. I was probably one of those rat bags who drank a bit but I've put myself first with study and off-field stuff, a good wife who's keeping me in line," he said.

"I'm continuing to do that and again continue to love life. I've got a beautiful family, good mates, I'm playing footy ... everything is pretty good."