Roosters boss Nick Politis reveals why the club did not sack Victor Radley

Radley will remain a Rooster, but has been hit with a 10-game ban, without pay, and donate $30,000 to St Vincent’s Hospital over his role in an incident that led to former teammate Brandon Smith being charged with drug supply.

The Roosters released a statement late on Thursday confirming the sanctions following internal discussions with senior club officials and a meeting of the Roosters board of directors.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis flew back into Sydney from Canada early on Thursday morning and straight into the Radley firestorm.

Court documents this week revealed explosive text messages that police allege show South Sydney star Brandon Smith helped put Radley in contact with a drug dealer to source cocaine while Radley was on a golf trip with six Roosters teammates to the Sunshine Coast in June.

Radley has not been charged and there is no suggestion he obtained or took illegal drugs.

However, the Roosters were compelled to act given the negative attention Radley’s alleged actions caused.

“Option one was to sack him,” Politis told this masthead on Thursday evening.

“But while he has brought the club into disrepute, there is no proof that Victor snorted cocaine. He hasn’t been charged with anything.

“But because of all the attention it’s created, we asked him not to attend the awards night.”

In a club statement, Radley accepted the sanctions and expressed his remorse, apologising to the club.

Politis defended himself from claims he backed down on his zero tolerance stance on drugs from earlier in the year in The Sunday Telegraph.

“What is zero tolerance,” Politis said.

“You have to weigh all this up very carefully with your lawyers.

“Zero tolerance means you punish a player more severely than we ever have before.

“He didn’t want to leave and he’s copped his penalty which is the heaviest we’ve ever handed down to a player.

“Ten games, no pay, and $30,000 to cancer research at St Vincent’s Hospital.”

Considering Radley’s $750,000 annual salary, the 10-game suspension without pay equates to about $140,000 in lost wages.

“Why should we pay him?” Politis said. “That only hurts the club and the fans.

“It was a hard decision. What do some other clubs do? Nothing”

Politis revealed North Queensland Cowboys recruitment boss Clint Zammit had reached out to try to take Radley to Townsville.

“The Cowboys wanted to take him on a loan,” he said.

“But what’s the point of that? Victor doesn’t get punished. He just gets a start up there.

“More importantly, he loves our club and didn’t want to leave.”

Radley did not attend the board meeting on Thursday where the penalty was handed down.

However, the Roosters were in contact with his agent, Sam Ayoub, throughout the afternoon.

Radley has agreed to sign a legal paper that he accepts the punishment.

“I want to sincerely apologise to the club, my teammates, our sponsors, members and fans for the negative spotlight I have brought on the Roosters,” Radley said in a statement.

“I accept the sanctions in full and will work hard to earn back the trust and respect of everyone who supports this great club.”

Radley had put Politis in a tough spot given his stance in January, in which he said: “My view is if somebody’s caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we’re going to get rid of them.

More Coverage

Radley survives Roosters axe, hit with historic ‘no-pay’ suspension

Brent Read and Michael Carayannis

“Our stance is zero tolerance.

“We are very strong on it. Trent (Robinson) is very strong on it.”

Ten games, $170,000 lighter in the hip pocket and the public embarrassment that comes with it seems quite strong.

Originally published as Roosters boss Nick Politis reveals why the club did not sack Victor Radley