Roarty was a member of the inaugural Melbourne Storm team and played in their first game on 14 March 1998, winning against Illawarra Steelers, 14-12. That year he was named the club's rookie of the year.
In 1999, Roarty started on the bench in the contentious 1999 NRL Grand Final between Melbourne and St. George Illawarra Dragons. Roarty scored a try in the match and the Storm won the game, 20–18.
Seeking a regular first-grade starting position, Roarty joined the Penrith Panthers in 2002 but he was again primarily used as an interchange player. After being offered a place at Huddersfield Giants in the European Super League, Penrith granted Roarty a release and he left the Panthers half-way into their 2003 premiership winning season.