{"id":588443,"date":"2026-04-06T05:00:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T05:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/588443\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T05:00:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T05:00:23","slug":"nick-politis-training-cameo-ahead-of-victor-radleys-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/588443\/","title":{"rendered":"Nick Politis\u2019 training cameo ahead of Victor Radley\u2019s return"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Roosters supremo Nick Politis hit Victor Radley with the \u201cheaviest sanction ever imposed on a player in the club\u2019s history\u201d after the forward allegedly attempted to purchase a dangerous drug<\/a> with the help of former teammate Brandon Smith last year.<\/p>\n

On Monday, Politis made a point of attending training ahead of Radley\u2019s long-awaited comeback to the game.<\/p>\n

\"VictorVictor Radley trained on Monday ahead of his long-awaited return for the Roosters.Sitthixay Ditthavong<\/p>\n

Radley was banned for 10 games without pay and told to donate $30,000 to St Vincent\u2019s Hospital \u2013 a financial penalty which amounted to around $150,000 \u2013 following the incident, which allegedly took place during a golf trip on the Sunshine Coast in June last year.<\/p>\n

Radley was not charged, while there was no proof he actually took delivery of the substance, let alone consumed it, according to the Queensland Police evidence briefing<\/a> obtained by this masthead at the time.<\/p>\n

Smith\u2019s lawyer has indicated he would contest charges of unlawfully supplying a dangerous drug<\/a> and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting. The court matter is ongoing.<\/p>\n

Billionaire Roosters owner and chairman Politis was ready to axe Radley<\/a>, and told his management to start looking for opportunities at other clubs, only to have a change of heart.<\/p>\n

\"NickNick Politis joined coach Trent Robinson on Monday, with the Roosters chairman and owner eager to watch Victor Radley train ahead of his comeback.Sitthixay Ditthavong<\/p>\n

Radley, 28, missed three Tests for England, two pre-season trials and four regular-season games for the Roosters, while last weekend\u2019s bye was also factored into his ban.<\/p>\n

It was not lost on some club officials, who did not wish to comment publicly, that Parramatta\u2019s Isaiah Iongi did not miss any games after photos appearing to show him smoking a substance<\/a> became public last month.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt goes without saying it\u2019s great to have Victor back,\u201d Politis told this masthead.<\/p>\n

Roosters players welcomed the aggression and physicality Radley would bring to the team against the Sharks at Optus Stadium on Saturday. Smith will also play his first match of the season in Perth, after recovering from a calf strain, when his Rabbitohs side faces Canberra in the first match of the double-header in Western Australia.<\/p>\n

\"SpencerSpencer Leniu (hamstring) is a chance of also returning for the Roosters this week. Sitthixay Ditthavong<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve really missed him out there, and it will be awesome to get him back and let him do what he does best,\u201d veteran Roosters winger Daniel Tupou said. \u201cHe\u2019s that aggressor, his leadership, and the energy he brings, we all feed off it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did [apologise to the group] at the time. Everyone makes mistakes. He\u2019s learned his lesson and done his time. He [Politis] didn\u2019t muck around.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Shane<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Rads\u2019 [Radley] has gone through it now, and it\u2019s good to see him back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roosters hooker Reece Robson, who played with Radley in junior representative teams, said of the chance to play his first club game with the Bronte-raised English international: \u201cI\u2019ve experienced in the past what he can bring to a team. To be on the same team with him every week will be really good.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s champing at the bit to try and get out there. Being around it and just training without being able to play at the start of the year, it was tough for him. Now he\u2019s got his opportunity, we\u2019re all just as excited as he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Radley might not be the only big-name player back in the Roosters line-up, with Spencer Leniu also a chance to return from a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Smith trained strongly with Souths on Monday and is expected to play for the in-form Bunnies against Canberra on Saturday. Coach Wayne Bennett revealed Smith was close to returning last weekend, but the extra week would benefit him.<\/p>\n

Prop Keaon Koloamatangi (knee) did not train with the main group, but remains an outside chance of playing against the Raiders.<\/p>\n

There will be no chance of Smith and Radley boarding the same flight west with the Roosters scheduled to depart a day before their bitter rivals.<\/p>\n

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