1 hour ago
8
Victor Radley has appeared worry-free as he shared some tender moments with his pregnant fiancée and their son at a Sydney beach despite being hit with a club-record punishment just hours earlier.
The Roosters enforcer was suspended without pay for 10 games on Thursday night and will also make a $30,000 donation to a Sydney hospital after accusations that he asked former teammate Brandon Smith to help him source cocaine while in Queensland.
Smith, who is now with Souths, appeared in court on Thursday morning and will fight allegations of drug supply and disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Court documents show Smith is accused of unlawfully supplying Sydney Roosters lock Radley with cocaine at Currimundi, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on June 7.
Radley has not been charged with any offence and the Daily Mail does not suggest he was engaged in any wrongdoing.
In addition to the suspension, Radley was told not to attend the team's annual awards night on Thursday – but despite enduring the most stressful episode of his career, he seemed happy and relaxed at Bronte Beach on Friday.
Despite going through the biggest drama of his career just hours beforehand, Victor Radley was all smiles as he shared a tender moment with his baby son on Friday
The Roosters forward and his fiancée Tayla Cratchley doted on their son Vinnie at Bronte Beach after the drama saw the 29-year-old hit with a monster penalty
Radley has been banned for 10 matches in the harshest penalty the Roosters have given a player in the club's 117-year history
The 27-year-old put his young son Vinnie on his shoulders and carried his toy bike after going for a morning swim, with fiancée Tayla Cratchley wrapping the one-year-old up in a towel.
Hours after the photos were taken, the Rugby League Players Association revealed its worries that the Roosters might have violated the NRL's collective bargaining agreement with the penalty handed to Radley.
The RLPA could complain to the NRL on the basis that the ban – which is estimated to cost Radley up to $140,000 in lost payments – is too harsh and sets a damaging precedent.
Now the Roosters will try to have the $140,000 taken from their salary cap so they have extra money to spend.
The club can apply to the NRL because Radley is not being fined, but having his pay withheld.
Had the Roosters decided to fine him, the amount would not be able to be exempted from their cap.
In addition, the $30,000 donation Radley will make to the hospital will be tax deductible.
Billionaire Roosters chairman Nick Politis had previously said, 'My view is if somebody's caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we're doing to get rid of them. Our stance is zero tolerance. We are very strong on it.'
Radley was also told he could not attend the club's awards night on Thursday
It's estimated the ban will cost Radley $140,000 - and he will also donate $30,000 to a Sydney hospital after accepting the club's sanctions 'in full'
Court documents show former Roosters star Brandon Smith is accused of unlawfully supplying Radley with cocaine while the latter was in Queensland
Smith is pictured outside a Queensland court on Thursday, shortly before he was granted bail on the condition that he doesn't contact Radley
He explained that he elected not to sack Radley because 'while he has brought the club into disrepute, there is no proof that Victor snorted cocaine. He hasn't been charged with anything.'
Politis added that the premiership-winning forward had been asked not to attend the Jack Gibson Awards ceremony on Thursday night, where his teammates walked the red carpet with their partners.
Radley, whose name was referred to in Brandon Smith's summons, cropped up again when the Bunnies forward fronted Southport Magistrates Court.
Smith, 29, was granted bail on the condition that he does not contact Radley or an accused drug dealer.
The lock was contrite in a statement issued by the club after his penalty was handed down.
'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.
'I accept the sanctions in full and will work hard to earn back the trust and respect of everyone who supports this great club.'
While Radley has accepted the terms of his punishment from the club, there is a chance he could return to the field this year.
England coach Shaun Wane confirmed he will pick Radley to line up against Australia in the upcoming Ashes series if he's fit and healthy.
Radley's father Nigel was born in England and his son decided to represent the country at the 2022 World Cup.
That made him ineligible to play State of Origin for NSW, and he has since gone on to run out in nine matches for the old enemy.
