NRL 2023: Victor Radley admits he needs to be better after latest suspension

Roosters star Victor Radley has spoken publicly — and candidly — for the first time since being handed his latest ban by the NRL.

Sydney Roosters star Victor Radley admits he needs to be better after his latest suspension. Picture: NRL Images

Victor Radley has expressed his gratitude for the support from the Sydney Roosters and admits he needs to be better as he cools his heels on the sidelines following his latest suspension.

Radley was handed a three-game suspension for a headbutt on St George Illawarra prop Blake Lawrie last week, leaving the Roosters short at a pivotal point in their season.

The England international, speaking for the first time since being handed a ban by the NRL, conceded it was his fault and his alone.

“I watched it back and I just think, ‘You idiot’, really,” Radley told Triple M NRL.

Victor Radley was handed a three-game suspension for a headbutt on St George Illawarra prop Blake Lawrie. Picture: Fox League.

“Reactionary response, the wrong thing. Robbo (coach Trent Robinson) rang me and was like, ‘Do you want to fight the charge or not?’

“Just kind of have to cop it on the chin and move forward. That’s what I have to do. I did the wrong thing so I will cop the punishment.

“I was smashing my head against a wall on Saturday and Sunday, not for any other reason than, ‘Why?’ It just happened so fast.

“As much as I can say I am working on it and won’t do it again, there is no doubt for however long I play I will do something stupid.

“I am doing my best not to. I have been an idiot since five or six years old, fighting with my brother. So sometimes these things come out.”

Asked whether he feared the Roosters would run out of patience with him given his history of indiscretions, Radley said: “I know that I am so grateful to be at this club. I owe that club everything, they owe me nothing.

Sydney Roosters star Victor Radley admits he needs to be better after his latest suspension. Picture: NRL Images

“I understand that I need to be better — I honestly need to be better. I don’t ever feel like I am in a position where they are going to rip it up.

“If they spoke to me about that, with all respect I owe that club more than I am giving them at the moment. It hasn’t come across any mind.

“If it did, they would never feel hard done by, they would have their reasons for sure. I love that club. I owe that club everything, they don’t owe me anything.”

Radley said he was grateful for the support he received from Robinson and Roosters chair Nick Politis.

“I am okay,” he said.

Victor Radley is grateful for the support the Roosters have shown him. Picture: NRL Images

“Tough to swallow but it is my own fault. So I will take it on the chin. I feel like I have let the team down and I am really grateful from Nick to Robbo, they have me back.

“I will learn my lessons with Robbo but he also supports me as well. The team has been 10 out of 10 supportive.

“We just had a camp for two days up at the central coast and I was on the opposing team against them. I was trying try best to keep my mouth shut and do the right thing.

“We had a good two days away and it made me feel a lot better a lot better than I did for those days off. I did’t really enjoy those five days we had off.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Victor Radley admits he needs to be better after latest suspension