Roosters forward Victor Radley back in weeks as club’s hypocrisy exposed
A loophole will allow Roosters forward Victor Radley to return to the field just weeks after bringing the club into disrepute.
Roosters supremo Nick Politis has been called out after the club stepped back from swinging the axe on forward Victor Radley.
The Roosters second-rower was on Thursday hit with the heaviest sanctions ever imposed in the club’s history, with the representative star banned for 10 matches without pay and forced to make a $30,000 donation for bringing the club into disrepute.
Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
There were reports Radley would be sacked over his role in an incident that led to former teammate Brandon Smith being charged with drug supply, but club officials have spared him the axe.
Smith appeared in Queensland’s Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, only days after text messages between the hooker and Radley were leaked suggesting that the Roosters star had tried to obtain cocaine while on a golf trip.
Radley’s name has been mentioned in an alleged text message exchange with Smith, although the Roosters forward is not the subject of any police investigation and there are no allegations that he has done anything wrong.
But the club is furious that they’ve been dragged into the ongoing saga, which is why there were suggestions the final two years of his contract would be torn up.
Despite the almighty whack, the penalty handed down falls short of the “zero tolerance” policy Politis has trumpeted in recent years.
According to a bombshell report, Politis was determined to sack Radley but decided not to after pleas from coach Trent Robinson and senior players.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Robinson and Roosters general manager Mitchell Aubusson — with the support of senior players — pleaded with the board not to sack Radley.
“I think if the grounds were there for us to rip up his contract, we would have,” Politis told The Herald.
“But we didn’t have that. He wasn’t charged with anything, so there were no grounds to terminate his contract.
“Could we have gone down the path of sacking him for bringing the club into disrepute? Maybe, but we would have left ourselves open to a wrongful dismissal [case].
“We took the most severe course of action available to us.”
It has not gone unnoticed that it was only last year that winger Josh Addo-Carr had his contract torn up by the Bulldogs over a drug-driving saga.
Now it has emerged Radley’s punishment has a loophole that will allow the 27-year-old to play in this year’s Ashes series during the Kangaroos’ tour of the UK.
England coach Shaun Wane says he will select Radley, despite the lock forward needing to serve his NRL suspension through the opening rounds of the 2026 season.
“If he’s fit and healthy, I’m going to pick him,” Wane told AAP.
It means Radley could be back in action in just five weeks when the first Ashes is played at Wembley on October 25.
“Rads is raring to go. He would love to come over here and play for England,” Wane said.
“He is proud of his heritage and an absolutely great asset to us.”
Regardless of the loophole, NRL commentators have pointed out punishment handed down by the Roosters has sent shockwaves across the NRL.
Speaking on NRL360, veteran journalist Dean Ritchie was of the belief Tricolours bosses had put a “line in the sand” and could have set a precedent for clubs to follow in the future.
He said the Roosters have done other clubs a “favour”.
“The Roosters have, whether it was deliberate or not, sent shockwaves through the NRL,” Ritchie said on Thursday night.
“With this suspension, whether it’s excessive or not, this is a heavy line in the sand. Every player at every club will be looking at it very closely.”
Leading NRL reporter Brent Read said on Fox League: “It’s pretty hefty sanctions obviously, but we have got to be honest there’s going to be people out there who think it’s not enough given Nick’s comments earlier this year.
“If Nick had his time over again, he didn’t imagine when he made those comments it would be used against him in terms of a player like Victor Radley.
“A loyal servant to that club, a local junior and I am happy with where they have arrived. Because I think Victor deserves a bit of leeway because of his service to that footy club.
“But there’s going to be people out there, no doubt about it that go well you said something, and now you’ve changed your tune.”
Meanwhile, remorseful Radley on Thursday accepted the sanctions and vowed to win back the trust of his teammates.
“I want to sincerely apologise to the club, my teammates, our sponsors, members and fans for the negative spotlight I have brought on the Roosters,” he said.
“I accept the sanctions in full and will work hard to earn back the trust and respect of everyone who supports this great club.”
Originally published as Roosters forward Victor Radley back in weeks as club’s hypocrisy exposed
‘1 of 1’: Walsh immortalises NRL premiership with dual tattoos
