‘S**t decision’: Victor Radley rages over sin bin controversy in Anzac epic

Victor Radley has erupted after he claimed an unwanted record in controversial circumstances in scenes that threatened to overshadow an Anzac thriller.

The Roosters couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox Sports

The Sydney Roosters have pulled off an Anzac Day epic, winning 27-26 to break St George Illawarra Dragons fans hearts.

The Dragons nearly pulled off an Anzac Day miracle, coming from 26-12 down to score three tries in just eight minutes.

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But a field goal from Luke Keary with six minutes remaining iced the game, handing the Roosters a much needed win.

It was a clash that had it all, including a massive controversy when Victor Radley was sin binned for a high shot on Dragons prop Michael Molo in the 63rd minute.

However, Radley and his captain James Tedesco were pleading with the referee as the Roosters enforcer claimed it was head to head.

James Tedesco was ropeable. Photo: Fox Sports

Adam Gee didn't care. Photo: Fox Sports

But referee Adam Gee sent Radley to the sin bin, claiming “shoulder to the head contact”.

Tedesco then said: “If that was anyone else, it’d be no penalty.”

“I’m not going down that path with you now,” Gee replied.

Post-game, Radley didn’t know what to think.

“I’m all over the shop personally,” Radley said.

“I was losing my mind in the sheds there. That was a head clash. I don’t know who made that decision, s**t decision.

“I’m all over the shop, my head’s gone, I’m lost.”

Radley said he was fine but: “For me to get 10 for that, I’m all over the shop right now.

“I’m so happy we won, if we lost I would have felt even worse. It’s really tough, I don’t know what they see in that, it was a head clash.”

Cooper Cronk argued that Radley needed to lower the height of his tackle and didn’t need to impact Molo so upright.

Radley was a bit high. Photo: Fox Sports

Radley now holds one of the NRL’s most unwanted records, joining Latrell Mitchell as the most sin binned players ever on eight.

But in the press conference, Tedesco said he believed Radley got unfairly treated by referees, a sentiment his coach backed up.

“I think Victor gets treated differently, yeah, because of the aggression he plays with,” Trent Robinson said.

“We feel like if it’s 50-50 in a physical contact, Rads has been other end of it. But that’s an opinion, I don’t think that’s fact about it at all.”

Fans were equally fuming over the call.

10 IN THE BIN FOR AN ACCIDENTAL HEAD CLASH!! THE NRL HAS LOST THE PLOT! #NRLRoostersDragons

— Keelan (@I_am_da_BOM) April 25, 2023

That’s the worst sin binning of the year. Dreadful decision. That’s garbage.#NRLRoostersDragons

— Elliott Lovejoy (@ElliottLovejoy) April 25, 2023

This is getting ridiculous.
This is a sin bin!!!
God help Rugby League…#NRLRoostersDragonspic.twitter.com/N8JnE08yEC

— Rugby League Best Tries Hits and Biffs (@NBiffs) April 25, 2023

That Radley sin bin was an absolute disgrace. No intent headclash. NRL need to put a stop to this vendetta against Radley, its becoming a joke. #NRLRoostersDragons

— Michael Carroll (@mickcarroll89) April 25, 2023

Victor Radley just got binned for being Victor Radley. Clear head clash. Horrific refereeing. #NRLRoostersDragons

— SuperCoach Brain 🧠 (@SC_Brain) April 25, 2023

But the controversy didn’t overshadow the action on the field.

The Roosters attack was slick in the first half as the side built a 20-6 lead.

Just before halftime, the Roosters were denied a try after Brandon Smith was deemed to been tackled after his ball carrying arm was grounded with a defender holding on.

But it didn’t stop Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss calling it a “carve up” before the try was disallowed.

A try each either side of halftime made it 26-12 but it looked to be all one-way traffic for the Roosters.

Victor Radley still doesn't get it. Photo: Fox Sports

The side had been in the news all week after Sam Walker was dropped with Joseph Manu coming into five-eighth.

But the Roosters’ smooth attack from the first half abandoned the team in the second half as the Dragons scored three tries in eight minutes to make it 26-all.

When Radley was sin binned for a shoulder to the head, it looked like the Roosters’ curse of having never won a match where he’d spent 10 minutes on the pine, Luke Keary iced the game.

Manu ran out of dummy half before throwing a pass back to Keary to slot the field goal.

Cooper Cronk was raving over the game, calling it an “epic encounter”.

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould added: “What a game!!!”

NRL senior journalist Brad Walter posted: “This game is everything we have come to expect in the Roosters-Dragons ANZAC Day clash”.

Media professional Robert Grasso added: “For pure theatre, what a belter of an Anzac Day game between two out of form sides. Wasn’t pretty at times, but what drama.”