Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Roosters supremo Nick Politis hit Victor Radley with the “heaviest sanction ever imposed on a player in the club’s history” after the forward allegedly attempted to purchase a dangerous drug with the help of former teammate Brandon Smith last year.
On Monday, Politis made a point of attending training ahead of Radley’s long-awaited comeback to the game.
Radley was banned for 10 games without pay and told to donate $30,000 to St Vincent’s Hospital – a financial penalty which amounted to around $150,000 – following the incident, which allegedly took place during a golf trip on the Sunshine Coast in June last year.
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 obtained by this masthead at the time.
Smith’s lawyer has indicated he would contest charges of unlawfully supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting. The court matter is ongoing.
Billionaire Roosters owner and chairman Politis was ready to axe Radley, and told his management to start looking for opportunities at other clubs, only to have a change of heart.
Radley, 28, missed three Tests for England, two pre-season trials and four regular-season games for the Roosters, while last weekend’s bye was also factored into his ban.
It was not lost on some club officials, who did not wish to comment publicly, that Parramatta’s Isaiah Iongi did not miss any games after photos appearing to show him smoking a substance became public last month.
“It goes without saying it’s great to have Victor back,” Politis told this masthead.
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.
“We’ve really missed him out there, and it will be awesome to get him back and let him do what he does best,” veteran Roosters winger Daniel Tupou said. “He’s that aggressor, his leadership, and the energy he brings, we all feed off it.
“He did [apologise to the group] at the time. Everyone makes mistakes. He’s learned his lesson and done his time. He [Politis] didn’t muck around.
“‘Rads’ [Radley] has gone through it now, and it’s good to see him back.”
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: “I’ve 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.
“He’s 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’s got his opportunity, we’re all just as excited as he is.”
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.
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.
Prop Keaon Koloamatangi (knee) did not train with the main group, but remains an outside chance of playing against the Raiders.
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.
