Victor Radley is facing the axe at the Sydney Roosters, with club chairman Nick Politis rushing back from the United States to discuss the star forward’s future after alleged drug texts emerged during Brandon Smith’s court case.
Radle, who currently earns around $750,000 a year playing for the Roosters, has been dragged into the drama around Smith – the latter is preparing to front court in Southport on Thursday.
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Smith will appear in the Magistrates Court on the Gold Coast on Thursday to answer charges of unlawfully supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting. Radley has not yet been charged – and is not expected to be – but does face club-side issues considering the Roosters have a “zero tolerance” rule on drug use.
“My view is if somebody’s caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we’re going to get rid of them,” Politis told the Telegraph in January.
“Our stance is zero tolerance. We are very strong on it. Trent [Robinson] is very strong on it.”
The Englishman has a deal running through to 2027 with the tricolours, but may be booted early; that’s exactly what Politis, as well as club powerbrokers and external lawyers, are mulling over through Wednesday and beyond.
The Roosters chairman “is not backing away” from his stance either, Code Sports reported earlier today.
The only thing that may save Radley is that there is no proof he actually ingested illegal drugs.
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Outside that, things aren’t looking great for the forward: Police reportedly seized Smith’s phone when he was pulled aside by police before round 23, and on Tuesday, alleged texts between him and Radley were published by several outlets. In them, the contact reported as Radley sends several messages lining up a drug purchase.
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Should the Roosters ignore their “zero tolerance” stance for whatever reason, too, Radley would face the NRL integrity unit, which is investigating. The NRL has a substance policy wherein players receive a strike the first time they’re caught with drugs. Their club is informed, they’re given a suspended fine, and must undergo mandatory treatment.
Another strike triggers an instant 12-week ban and gives the club the ability to sack the player.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on Tuesday confirmed the governing body would be investigating.
