Victor Radley has survived the axe at the Sydney Roosters but received a 10-game suspension without pay following revelations he requested cocaine from ex-team-mate Brandon Smith.
The hefty ban comes alongside a $A30,000 ($NZ33,747) fine to be donated to St Vincent’s Hospital, representing the heaviest penalty ever handed down by the Roosters to a player.
The Roosters had trumpeted a strict anti-drug policy during the NRL preseason.
After fronting the board yesterday, Radley looks to have kept his job.
The star forward had been linked with an exit from the club where he made his NRL debut in 2017.
Smith appeared in Queensland’s Southport Magistrates Court yesterday, only days after text messages between the South Sydney hooker and Radley were leaked to the press.
Court documents show Smith is accused of unlawfully supplying Radley with cocaine at Currimundi, on the Sunshine Coast, on June 7.
While Radley, 27, has not been charged, the Roosters released a statement yesterday saying he had brought the club into disrepute and had accepted their sanctions.
"I want to sincerely apologise to the club, my team-mates, our sponsors, members and fans for the negative spotlight I have brought on the Roosters," he said in a club 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 will be unavailable for selection until at least round 11 next NRL season, depending on where the Roosters’ byes fall in the draw.
It looms as a blow to a Roosters side that will look to build on a 2025 campaign that ended with Saturday’s elimination-final loss to Cronulla.
Radley 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.
— AAP
