The Roosters forward had just been caught up in a police investigation that saw former teammate Brandon Smith face allegations of drug supply and using inside knowledge for betting.<\/p>\n
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Radley himself was not charged with any wrongdoing, while Smith plans to plead not guilty.<\/p>\n
But given Nick Politis had previously gone public with the club\u2019s zero-tolerance policy to drugs, the Roosters supremo suddenly found himself in a tough spot.<\/p>\n
The talk at the time was that Politis wanted to rip Radley\u2019s contract up. That is, before Roosters coach Trent Robinson and director of football Mitch Aubusson stepped in. <\/p>\n
Robinson was said to be particularly strong in his defence of Radley, who was later handed a 10-game ban without pay.<\/p>\n
As it turns out, Radley would not have been making his Origin debut next Wednesday had the Roosters not been allowed to count three Ashes Tests and two pre-season challenge games as part of his ban.<\/p>\n
It meant Radley was able to return in Round 6, giving him a chance to push for selection under the NRL\u2019s new eligibility laws.<\/p>\n
So, here he was now, not just still a Sydney Roosters player but now a NSW Blues debutant.<\/p>\n
Radley didn\u2019t want to talk too much about his suspension or just how close he was to facing the sack at the Roosters, having put all of it \u201cbehind me\u201d.<\/p>\n
But he was emphatic in telling reporters he \u201cnever had a worry whatsoever about being wanted\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat all unfolded as it did… since I have dealt with it, I have put it behind me,\u201d Radley added. <\/p>\n
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n ‘I picked Victor to be Victor!’ | 00:44<\/p>\n Instead, Radley wants to soak up every single moment of his first State of Origin camp.<\/p>\n So much so that when he got the call from Laurie Daley on Sunday afternoon, the first thing he did after telling his parents and partner Taylah was delete all his social media.<\/p>\n It meant that when Radley was asked about coming up against Sam Walker next Wednesday night, he actually had no idea his Roosters teammate had even been picked.<\/p>\n \u201cWas he picked at halfback? That\u2019s the first I\u2019ve ever heard of that,\u201d Radley said.<\/p>\n This coming from someone who quickly developed a reputation for pushing the boundaries with his aggressive playing style on the field. <\/p>\n But away from it, there is clearly a different side to Radley. One that is far more introspective than most people give him credit for.<\/p>\n So, the focus this week for Radley is to \u201cbe really present in the moment\u201d.<\/p>\n That extended to the team\u2019s open media session on Monday afternoon at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence in Sydney Olympic Park, where Radley admitted he had \u201cnever seen so much media in my life\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s unreal,\u201d he added, recalling how he could still remember going to school on a Thursday morning, his mood determined by whether the Blues had won or not.<\/p>\n MORE NEWS<\/p>\n TEAM TIPS: Broncos\u2019 crisis deepens as star goes under knife; Warriors\u2019 $900k dilemma<\/a><\/p>\n