Radley breaks silence on drug-text scandal as Roosters face long ban and family fallout
Radley says he is embarrassed, thanks his heavily pregnant fiancée for standing by him, and faces a roughly $200,000 hit as he serves a 10-game suspension and makes a hospital donation.
Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley has publicly spoken about the drug-text scandal that led to a 10-game suspension and a $30,000 donation to a Sydney hospital, describing the episode as a deeply embarrassing period and saying it has taken a toll on those closest to him. The club confirmed the ban is served without pay, and the financial impact extends beyond the suspension to a club-sanctioned donation aimed at supporting a local hospital.
The controversy centers on allegations that Radley asked former teammate Brandon Smith to help source cocaine while the pair were in Queensland. Smith, who is now with South Sydney, has appeared in court and will fight charges of drug supply and disclosing inside information for betting. Court documents allege that Smith unlawfully supplied Radley with cocaine at Currimundi on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on June 7. Radley has not been charged with any offense, and the Daily Mail’s reporting does not suggest he engaged in wrongdoing himself. The Roosters have said the incident will cost Radley close to $200,000 when accounting for lost wages, legal matters, and related costs, underscoring the financial and reputational toll on the player and his family.
Radley told News Corp that he felt embarrassed and that the two people who mattered most were the club and his family. “I felt embarrassed, to be honest,” he said. “The club and my family were the two I had to worry about. I didn’t want the people I love to feel the way I felt. I want to make sure the people I love are all right and I made them feel like crap. That hurt the most.” He added that hurting his loved ones has been the toughest part of the ordeal and that his fiancée has borne the brunt of the fallout.
He described his partner as “the rock” through a period in which she has faced public scrutiny while carrying their child. “She hasn’t shown it too much,” Radley said, noting that she is 32 weeks pregnant but remains steady and supportive. He expressed gratitude for her strength and for how she has helped him keep perspective during a period of intense media attention and personal strain.
Despite accepting the club’s punishment, Radley acknowledged the possibility of returning to the field later this year, should health and form permit. The Roosters have signaled that rehabilitation and readiness could open a pathway back to play before the season ends, depending on medical clearance and team needs.
The international dimension adds another layer to the story. England coach Shaun Wane confirmed that Radley would be in consideration to line up against Australia in the upcoming Ashes series if he is fit and healthy. Radley’s international career has included representing England at the 2022 World Cup after his father, Nigel, was born in England. That decision made him ineligible to play State of Origin for New South Wales, but he has since gone on to represent England in nine matches, aligning his rugby league future with the “old enemy” on the global stage.
The Roosters’ dilemma reflects the broader pressures facing high-profile players when off-field conduct collides with on-field expectations. The financial penalties, ongoing legal questions for others involved, and the personal toll documented in Radley’s remarks illustrate how a single off-field episode can reverberate through a club, a family, and a public persona. While the substance of the accusations remains contested outside Radley’s own statements, the case has sharpened scrutiny of player welfare, the responsibilities of teammates, and the support systems teams provide to players and their families during crises.
As Radley navigates the immediate consequences, the sport will watch closely to see how his case informs future club policies, disciplinary processes, and the attitudes of fans toward players who face serious allegations off the field. The coming weeks could determine whether Radley resumes competition this season or concentrates on rebuilding reputation and form in the longer term, both for his club and potential international opportunities.