Sydney Roosters hit Victor Radley with 10-game ban for bringing club into disrepute

The Sydney Roosters have handed Victor Radley the biggest sanction in club history for his alleged involvement in the Brandon Smith saga.

Smith appeared in Queensland’s Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, only days after text messages between the hooker and Radley were leaked to the press.

Court documents show Smith is accused of unlawfully supplying Radley with cocaine at Currimundi, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, on June 7.

Radley has been handed a 10-match suspension (without pay) and been ordered to make a $30,000 donation to St Vincent’s Hospital for cancer research.

While Radley has not been charged, the Roosters released a statement on Thursday afternoon saying he had brought the club into disrepute.

Radley accepted the sanctions and expressed his remorse in a club statement.

“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,” he said.

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

The sanctions announced Thursday appear to have quashed speculation the star forward could be forced out the door, after the Roosters trumpeted a strict anti-drug policy in the pre-season.

Radley will be unavailable for selection until at least round 11 next NRL season, depending on where the Roosters’ byes fall in the draw.

The 27-year-old remains tied to the Roosters through to 2027, on a contract worth a reported $750,000 per season.

The door appears to be open for Radley to represent England in the post-season Ashes series if selected by coach Shaun Wane.

The sanctions are strictly imposed by the Roosters, who have not yet formally told Radley he must make himself unavailable.

News of the penalty comes after Roosters chairman Nick Politis told News Corp in January the club would sack any player caught taking drugs.

“My view is if somebody’s caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we’re going to get rid of them,” he said at the time.

Radley has played his entire NRL career with the Roosters, with whom he won the 2018 and 2019 premierships.

He has made 161 appearances and has become known for his physical approach to the game.

Smith has been ordered not to contact Radley as part of his bail conditions.

He intends to fight charges of supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.

- With AAP