Victor Radley’s Strong Return to Rugby League
Trent Robinson, the head coach of the Sydney Roosters, has praised Victor Radley for his strong return to rugby league, describing him as a “clear and determined” player following his early comeback from a club-enforced ban. Radley made a significant impact in the Roosters’ 32-22 victory over Cronulla in Perth on Saturday. The win came after a remarkable 16-0 deficit, marking the equal biggest comeback in the club’s history.
Radley played a crucial role in the team’s resurgence, particularly in the lead-up to Daniel Tupou’s match-levelling try with 14 minutes remaining at Optus Stadium. His performance highlighted his determination and commitment to the team.
A Challenging Suspension and Comeback
Radley was initially suspended for 10 games without pay by the Roosters due to allegations that he attempted to purchase a dangerous drug during a golf weekend last year. The club later extended the ban to include three Tests for England and two pre-season matches. However, Radley was brought back earlier than expected after a round-five bye.
Robinson acknowledged the challenges Radley faced but emphasized the importance of moving forward. He stated:
“No-one walks a straight path, so I think everybody’s judgment of that is that’s up to them. But for us, Ted (captain James Tedesco) was very honest with him, I was very honest with him. The club was, and then you move forward.”
Robinson also highlighted the trust Radley had in the club, noting that he had taken a serious hit to his trust bank account. However, the club still believes in him and is supporting his return.
Physical and Mental Readiness
Robinson pointed out that Radley now has a leanness about him after a long off-season, although his match fitness is somewhat affected by a seven-month gap between games. Radley played 48 minutes across two stints in the match, and his defensive skills are expected to be crucial for the Roosters, especially after a slow start to the 2026 season.
Key Performances from Other Players
In addition to Radley’s return, there were positive signs from other players. Daly Cherry-Evans and Mark Nawaqanitawase showed promising development on the right edge of the Roosters’ team.
Cherry-Evans, who has faced some scrutiny in the opening rounds, performed well against his former club Manly a fortnight ago and scored a double on Saturday. Both of his tries were set up by Nawaqanitawase, with Cherry-Evans reaching his 100th try in the process.
Nawaqanitawase, known for his athletic work, has been a key contributor to the team’s success. His ability to create opportunities for players like Cherry-Evans is seen as a major asset for the Roosters this season.
Building a Stronger Team
Robinson expressed confidence in Cherry-Evans’ development, stating:
“Chez has started to come into his own a little bit more, and the better we get as a team, the better he’ll get. If you look at the way that Siua Wong and Rob Toia were playing in attack, that has to go through Chez, and they’ve been playing really well.”
He added:
“I just know with each game he plays, the person that he is and how hard he works, then we’re going to keep getting better out there.”
