The Sydney Roosters’ 2026 premiership hopes have received a major boost ahead of the upcoming NRL season, with star forward Victor Radley cleared to return to action far earlier than initially expected following his club-imposed suspension.
The English international was suspended without pay in September for his involvement in a text message scandal that became part of a wider police investigation involving former teammate Brandon Smith.
Radley was not charged with any offence, and it is not suggested he was proven to have done anything illegal, but he still received the heaviest internal sanction in club history from the Roosters hierarchy.
In a sensational turn of events, however, it has now been revealed Radley will miss just five actual NRL season games rather than the full 10 originally thought, after the Roosters confirmed his ban would include the three Ashes Tests and two pre-season challenge matches, according to reports from CODE Sports.
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During his time away from the game, the 27-year-old returned to work as a carpenter and donated $30,000 to cancer research at St Vincent’s Hospital, while also missing around $100,000 in wages.
Roosters general manager of football Mitch Aubusson defended the club’s decision to count representative and trial fixtures towards the suspension, noting Radley’s willingness to put the club first.
“Rads was desperate to play for England, but he chose to step back for the sake of the Roosters,” Aubusson said. “That shows the kind of person he is and what this club means to him.”
Radley’s punishment was handed down after internal discussions that reportedly included the possibility of termination, before the board settled on the lengthy suspension with direction from Nick Politis as well as consultation with coach Trent Robinson.
Despite the controversy, the Roosters remain confident Radley has learned from the experience and will return more focused than ever as he resumes training ahead of the 2026 campaign.
The Tricolours open their season on March 6 against the Warriors in Auckland, and Radley is set to make his return in Round 6 — a timely boost for a side aiming to reassert itself among the competition’s elite.
It marks a turning point for one of the game’s most polarising figures — and if his early return translates into on-field impact, the Roosters’ gamble on redemption could prove a masterstroke as Radley pushes to make amends.