Victor Radley is not a man for reflection.
The 28-year-old Sydney Roosters enforcer looks only at the week ahead of him, shedding any weight or expectation of the games left behind.
Victor Radley at the Beer Footy Food Festival. Brodie Richardson
“I feel like I’ve been really good this year at just worrying about what I can control in that week and that day, because things can quickly get taken away from you,” he explains to nine.com.au from Henson Park, while promoting this weekend’s Beer footy Food Festival.
“So I’ve just been focusing on being my best self and putting my best foot forward every day. I think good things happen when you just work hard and concentrate on the stuff you can control.”
The NRL is an ongoing whirlwind of media attention, club expectation and external pressures. Players are expected to juggle the burdens of leadership and ladder position, all while trying to be the best athletes they can be.
For Radley, his 2026 season has already been quite the spectacle.
Just a week ago, his NSW Blues side lifted the State of Origin shield after snatching the decider at Suncorp Stadium over the Queensland Maroons. Although Radley only starred in game one and two, he wasn’t even meant to be in the running for the team in the first place.
After he served the longest sanction in his history of the Sydney Roosters club and chairman Nick Politis nearly sacked the 28-year-old over a scandal in 2025, the Roosters decided to cut his 10-match ban short so Radley would be available for Origin selection.
But none of those discussions matter to Radley as the only thing occupying his mind right now is his next bout against Melbourne.
“No, not (reflecting) to be honest. It was Parra last week, now it’s Storm. We haven’t thought much past that,” he said.
“We know that every two points is valuable, so we’re just really concentrating each week on getting that job done and being our best selves, because we want to be finishing as high up the ladder as we can to give us the best shot.”
Sitting pretty in third place on the NRL ladder, the Roosters have a list of other premiership contenders vying for the ultimate prize. Radley is determined to make sure he and his playing group never get “comfortable” with their current success.
“I feel like it’s important to play well when you’re away too, so not getting too comfortable with only playing at home,” Radley said.
“Feeling good at the moment, but it’s just about not getting bored (by) what we’re doing well. I know from past years you can kind of get carried away with what you’re doing well and then let it slip a little bit, and it catches up to you.
“So, as a leader, that’s my job – just keeping everyone with their feet firmly on the ground and keeping going after the things that we want to do to give us the best shot of winning.”
Their next challenge is a Melbourne Storm side desperately fighting for a shot at the top eight. While Storm star Cameron Munster has been ruled out, Radley insists it won’t alter the Roosters’ strategy.
“It is always going to be a tough game against Melbourne. Ever since I started playing, it’s been a hard slog against them.
“Regardless if (Munster’s) playing or not, I think we’ve got to be up for it. I think we’ll look at their depth a bit deeper and come up with a plan to beat them at home as well, which is good.”
Looking toward the end of the 2026 season, the Roosters are facing an inevitable roster shake-up. With Mark Nawaqanitawase, Angus Crichton, and potentially Daly Cherry-Evans set to leave the club, a young core will soon be exposed.
Victor Radley and Mitch Kenny at the Beer Footy Food Festival. Brodie Richardson
However, rather than viewing this season as a last dance for the current squad, Radley is looking at the transition through the lens of the Roosters’ legacy.
“We’re going to be doing everything we can to win this year and send those boys off the right way. But we’re going to be fighting for premierships long after they’re gone, long after I’m gone,” he said.
“If you just look at history, I don’t think the Roosters ever…if they don’t get close to a premiership, it’s not for long. So, long after they’re gone, long after I’m gone, they’ll be fighting for premierships.”
The Beer Footy Food Festival is this Saturday, July 18 at Henson Park.