Roosters hand Victor Radley 10-game ban, $30,000 fine

3 weeks ago 5

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Roosters star Victor Radley has been spared the axe but will serve a 10-game suspension and donate $30,000 to St Vincent’s Hospital after he was implicated in a Queensland Police investigation that led to former teammate Brandon Smith facing a drug supply charge.

Radley fronted the Roosters board, including chairman Nick Politis, on Thursday after the English international was named as the alleged recipient of a contact from Smith him to source “a dangerous drug namely cocaine” on June 7 - according to the summons obtained by this masthead.

Radley was not charged and is not considered a person of interest by Queensland Police. There is no suggestion that Radley actually obtained or took illegal drugs, but he was implicated in the investigation into Smith by text messages from his phone.

The Roosters on Wednesday had urged Radley’s management to begin exploring options in the NRL and Super League with an eye to cutting him loose the remaining two years of his contract, worth around $700,000-a-season.

Roosters officials instead imposed what is described as the largest sanction handed down in its 117-year history after being convinced to resist sacking for bringing “the Sydney Roosters into disrepute”.

Radley accepted the sanctions and will not be paid across the course of his 10-game suspension.

Victor Radley and Brandon Smith after the round 27 match between the Roosters and Rabbitohs.

“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,” Radley said in a club statement.

“I accept the sanctions in full and will work hard to earn back the trust and respect of everyone who supports this great club.”

The Roosters have indicated that Radley’s suspension will be served throughout the first 10 rounds of the 2026 season, and will not include pre-season challenge games next year or the upcoming three-Test Ashes series.

Radley has been a regular for the English national side since 2022 and is free to play in the landmark Test series as far as the NRL is concerned.

The NRL has no plans to sanction either Radley or Smith while the latter’s hearing is before the courts. Smith’s matter was on Thursday adjourned until October 9 and he will not be required to appear in court.

More to come