Beer numbs pain for league masters

Ipswich player Glen Torpy trains with his team for a masters tournament at Runaway Bay. Photo: Sarah Harvey MA0610HS

HAIRLINES have receded, waistlines expanded and legs have slowed but the competitive fire still remains.

Why else would a bunch of middle-aged former rugby league players pull the boots back on?

“I think it’s the comradeship,” Queensland Redbacks player and manager Jamie McQueen said.

The Redbacks, about half of whom are retired former Ipswich players, will contest the Australian Rugby League Masters Carnival at Runaway Bay, starting today and ending Saturday.

“In Masters games you get together, have a run then talk about the old times and catch up with blokes you played against in the juniors or seniors,” McQueen said. “It’s just a good set-up.”

The old competitive instincts shine through but the players are too old and wise, in theory, to let things go to far.

“Once you get out there your competitive nature comes out,” former Ipswich Jet McQueen said.

“It is Masters and no-one keeps score but at the end of the day you know if you got over the top of your opponent.

“It’s competitive that way but there are no all-in brawls or rough stuff.”

So enthusiastic were they that 16 of the 24-man Redbacks squad braved the rain to train at Ipswich on Saturday.

“They’re as keen as mustard,” McQueen said.

“I was very surprised with the turnout being wet.”

Former Ipswich players Glen Torpy, Shane Treadaway, Justin Baker, Scott Ward, Aaron Saltner, Todd Zische and possibly Doug Evans and Pat O’Doherty are in the squad.

The rest come from Souths Sunnybank, Redlands, East Carina and Sunshine Coast clubs that compete in the Brisbane Masters competition throughout the season.

The ARL Masters is so popular there are 60 teams competing.

“You come across a lot of ex-NRL players,” McQueen said.

“A lot of the boys like to keep fit.”

A lot will return less fit than when they left, with injuries inevitable.

Fortunately there is plenty of low-grade anaesthetic on offer post-match.

“Obviously there’s plenty of beer to numb the pain,” McQueen said.

The available talent will determine how the Redbacks will play with more ball movement likely this year than previously.

“Last year we were more biff and barge because we had heaps of big blokes,” McQueen said.

“This year we look a bit trimmer. We’ve got Glen Torpy at halfback and Peter Seage at five-eighth.

“They were throwing the ball out the backline pretty well on Saturday. Our forwards will hold their own then we’ll let the backs have a bit of a run.”