Tommy and Roy honoured at Lidcombe Oval

The 'Tommy Raudonikis OAM Stand' was officially unveiled before the match, with black and white seats and a sign to honour the late Magpies legend.

Named in Western Suburbs and Wests Tigers’ Team of the Century, Raudonikis was an inaugural member of the NRL Hall of Fame after playing over 200 games for Western Suburbs Magpies through the late 1960’s and 70’s before coaching the club for five seasons in the 1990’s.

He played 30 games for Australia and 24 games for New South Wales, quickly developing into one of the game's most passionate and iconic figures.

Sunday’s fixture also saw these teams playing for the inaugural Roy Masters Cup. 

Alongside Raudonikis, Masters was key to the rebuilding of Western Suburbs Magpies, coaching the club in 94 games from 1978-81 before switching clubs to take the helm at the St George Dragons for 156 games between 1982-87.

Named as the Magpies Coach of the Century in 2004, Masters coached the struggling club to a minor premiership in his first season before making the finals in three straight seasons and taking St George all the way to the 1982 Grand Final.

He subsequently became a respected columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and received a Member of the Order of Australia in 2012 for his services to journalism and sport.

Masters was unable to attend Sunday's fixture but says he is extremely humbled to have his name etched on the trophy for this match.

"The great rivalry between these clubs certainly predates me," Masters said.

I am extremely grateful that they would name this fixture between these two great clubs after me.

Roy Masters

"I’m sorry I could not be there on Sunday but I made a long-standing commitment to visit my brother who’s ill overseas, he had a stroke.

"I will be here for the Roy Masters Cup in 2024, you can guarantee it."