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Loophole means Radley could play again in five weeks
SEN • September 19th, 2025 11:42 am
- Radley has been banned by the NRL club for 10 games
- Fined $30,000
- Will lose $140,000 in salary
Despite being slapped with a 10-match ban by his NRL club, Roosters star Victor Radley could be back on the field in a matter of weeks.
On Thursday, the Roosters handed down the biggest sanctions in club history after Radley was deemed to have brought them into disrepute over his alleged involvement with the drug and gambling court case against former teammate Brandon Smith.
Radley will be banned for 10 matches without pay as a result of his alleged connection with the case as well as a $30,000 fine which will go to charity.
Smith was charged by Queensland police with one count of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Queensland police allege Smith contacted a drug dealer on the Sunshine Coast in order to supply an illicit drug to Victor Radley and other Roosters teammates on June 7.
Radley has not been charged and there is no evidence to suggest he obtained or took illicit drugs, but a series of damning text messages allegedly sent between the pair have put his future at the Roosters in doubt.
While some have said the punishment expose a hypocrisy given the Roosters’ previous declaration that any player affiliated with drugs would be sacked, it now seems that Radley will be given the nod to play in the forthcoming Ashes series between England and Australia.
“If he’s fit and healthy, I’m going to pick him,” England coach Shaun Wane said. “Rads is raring to go. He would love to come over here and play for England.
“He is proud of his heritage and an absolutely great asset to us.”
In the same statement from the Roosters which confirmed Radley’s sanctions, the club included an apology from the England international.
“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.”
