MASTERS REUNITES STORM PAIR

TEN years after playing leading roles in the Melbourne Storm’s stunning 1999 premiership

TEN years after playing leading roles in the Melbourne Storm’s stunning 1999 premiership victory, Marcus Bai and Ben Roarty today stood side by side on a rugby league field.

But this time around the former Storm stars weren’t wearing the same jerseys.

Bai and Roarty played on opposing teams in the opening day of the popular Schweppes ARL Masters Carnival at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast.

Representing the Butchers Old Boys, PNG international Bai displayed the pace and flair that made him one of the biggest names in the game throughout his decorated professional career.

Roarty, a try-scorer in the Storm’s 20-18 grand final victory over the Dragons in ’99, turned out for Victorian-based team the Sunbury Tigers.

The good mates are just two of more than 1500 enthusiastic players who will converge on the Gold Coast for the three-day league extravaganza.

Six fields will be in operation throughout the carnival, which features more than 150 games.

Following the inaugural Masters in 2007, the Schweppes ARL Masters Carnival is now a major event on the rugby league calendar and proves that there is a huge demand for retired players to continue their active involvement in the game.