Victor Radley’s playing future in hands of Sydney Roosters president Nick Politis over alleged drug texts

Victor Radley’s fate hangs in the balance as the fallout from the allegedly damning texts he sent Brandon Smith to obtain drugs continues.

Radley, who is on a two-year $750,000 per season contract with the Roosters, allegedly asked Smith to arrange for him to get an “eight ball,” which is drug slang for 3.5 grams of cocaine, while he was on the Sunshine Coast for a Roosters golf trip.

The texts have been reported as being part of the police allegations against Smith, who is charged with supplying a dangerous drug and providing information to a drug dealer which was then used to bet on an NRL match Smith played in.

It has been reported today if bets for Smith to score a try as well as be the first try scorer had materialised on his return from injury it would have netted the gamblers $20,000.

Smith is due to appear in Southport Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where he is expected to enter pleas of not guilty to the charges.

There is no suggestion or allegation from police that Radley received the drugs and he is not facing any drug-related charges and the Nightly does not suggest that he is guilty of committing any criminal offence.

Sydney Roosters president Nick Politis, in words that have come back to haunt him, said in January that any player at his club caught doing illicit drugs or being photographed with white substances would have their contract terminated.

He made the comments in reference to Souths star Latrell Mitchell, who was banned for one match over a photo of him leaning over a white substance last year, and Bronco Ezra Mam, who was banned for nine games after he pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs, which led to a crash that injured a small girl and her mother.

Politis or the Roosters are yet to comment on the latest development and have previously said they will await the outcome of anything heard in court.

Souths likewise are standing by Smith after coach Wayne Bennett went on the attack, claiming the allegations had been made public by Queensland Police as a deterrent.

In the texts, Radley allegedly sounds out Smith about the prospect of helping him source drugs.

RADLEY: G tee up your cousin in sunny coast for me. Short 8 ball if you will.

SMITH: Yeah sweet bro. I’ll give you the contact when I get it.

Days later, police allege they intercepted text messages between Radley and the drug dealer in which they discuss where they will meet, with Radley telling the dealer “mad cheers bro” once they established a meeting point, before thanking the dealer and offering to help arrange tickets for the final round NRL match between the Roosters and Souths.

DEALER: F… bro sorry about all that massive mission we are all coming down for the round 27 Roosters vs Rabbits.

RADLEY: All good bro, you sorted us good man. Yep let me know if you need anything, I’ll sort it for ya.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson launched an impassioned plea last month about how the allegations had not only tarnished the club but more importantly other players who were on the June bye-round golf trip, namely skipper James Tedesco and retired halfback Chad Townsend, who posted photos and video of the group on the links.