Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis has explained the decision not to sack Victor Radley, despite comments earlier this year regarding a “zero tolerance” drug policy.
Radley was handed a 10-game suspension from the club on Thursday and will also pay $30,000 towards medical research for his involvement in the Brandon Smith saga.
He had been caught up in Smith’s court case, which was adjourned until October 9 on Thursday morning, with messages that involved Radley published by media outlets.
READ MORE: Schoolboy star snared by Dogs lights up ‘surreal’ national final
READ MORE: Twist in star’s A-League exit as arrest warrant issued
READ MORE: ‘There’ll be hiccups’: Scott addresses off-field controversies
Radley has not been charged by police and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
However, a club statement said that “references in the media to communications allegedly between him and others have brought the Sydney Roosters into disrepute.”
Victor Radley Getty
Radley’s monster ban will be without pay and, instead of a fine, he will pay the five-figure sum to St Vincent’s Hospital as part of their cancer research.
“This represents the heaviest sanction ever imposed on a player in the club’s history,” the Roosters statement said.
The 27-year-old accepted the punishment from the Tricolours and apologised to all parties involved from his teammates to the members and fans.
“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.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
“I accept the sanctions in full and will work hard to earn back the trust and respect of everyone who supports this great club.”
There had been suggestions that Radley would be on the hunt for a new club, but the statement and sanction from the Roosters indicates that he will see out his contract.
Earlie this year, Politis told News Corp that any player who was “caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we’re going to get rid of them” but the club have not taken that approach when it comes to the Radley situation.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, the chairman explained why the Tricolours didn’t part ties with Radley and believes their “severe course of action” was enough.
Roosters boss Nick Politis talks to Victor Radley. Getty
“I think if the grounds were there for us to rip up his contract, we would have … but we didn’t have that,” Politis said.
“He wasn’t charged with anything, so there were no grounds to terminate his contract.
“Could we have gone down the path of sacking him for bringing the club into disrepute? Maybe, but we would have left ourselves open to a wrongful dismissal [case].
“We took the most severe course of action available to us. Tell me, which other club would have imposed the sanctions that we did?
“If you look at the definition of zero tolerance, it’s the harshest punishment you can impose on a person that is available to you.
“I can’t remember the last time anyone has ever been suspended without pay. Players have tested positive for drugs and have got minimal suspension and still got paid for it.”
The Herald also revealed that head coach Trent Robinson and general manager Mitchell Aubusson both fronted the Roosters board of directors to help persuade them not to sever ties with one of the club’s only true local juniors.
Radley was not caught with any illegal substance or accused of any wrongdoing.
Brandon Smith and Victor Radley Getty
League great Matty Johns backed the decision from the Roosters to keep Radley at the club despite the significant, ground-breaking sanction.
“It’s a game of second chances,” he said on SEN Radio.
“People will go ‘Oh, you don’t want to make excuses’ and I’m retired enough and away from the game to be able to make constructive criticisms, but every time I’ve met him, he’s a sweetheart and I’m really happy with the Roosters.
“Although they have hit him with a big stick, they haven’t shown him the door. He’s a local junior, he loves the club and he wouldn’t look right in any other jersey.”
Radley has been an integral part of the Bondi-based club for many years, having come through their system with the Clovelly Crocodiles and junior rep pathways.
He played in both the 2018 and 2019 grand final victories and has 161 first grade games in the famous red, white and blue jersey.