Ballin, who has also played one State-of-Origin game for Queensland, will join club chief executive Joe Kelly in Albury on Thursday as the build-up to the biggest rugby league game played in Albury heats up.

Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey is also a 200-game player for the club, which has a 1-2 record after three rounds this season.

“Playing 200 games for one club is a massive honour for me,” Ballin said.

“I’ve been so lucky to play for this amazing club in some great times and some tough times.

“It makes it all worthwhile.

“It is a very special moment for me.”

Ballin, who grew up in Kingaroy, made his debut for the Sea Eagles early in 2007, with another career highlight being the grand final rout of Melbourne Storm the following year.

The Sea Eagles only win this season was against the Storm a fortnight ago, before going down to Canterbury on their homeground Brookvale Oval by four points.

The Brookvale playing surface has come under fire since the game for its poor condition, but there will be no concerns about the Lavington ground not being in pristine condition for the round five clash.

Manly will start favourites against the Dragons this weekend before coming to Albury to play the Raiders.

“We have to look at who we play this week before we focus on the Raiders,” Ballin said.

“As a team they are pretty tough, but we need to take care of our own performance first,” he said.

Ballin said it was important NRL clubs played in regional areas to boost the code.

“I am passionate about rugby league in the country and trying to get as many people involved in it as I can,” he said.

“Jack Littlejohn is from down that way and says a lot of good things about it.”

Littlejohn is from Wagga and made his debut for the Sea Eagles early last season.

In another boost for the Sea Eagles, playmaker Kieran Foran is expected to return from a hamstring injury by the Albury encounter.