Roosters star Victor Radley is tipped to be moved by the NRL club following the leaking of his alleged text messages with a known drug dealer.
Radley, 27, is one of the club’s favourite sons, winning premierships with the Tricolours in 2018 and 2019.
But according to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Roosters have advised Radley’s manager Sam Ayoub to gauge interest from rival NRL clubs or with teams based in the English Super League for 2026 onwards.
The publication also stated the Roosters are disappointed with Radley’s reported version of events following the mid-season golf trip on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The representative star was referred to in the police summons for Brandon Smith, who has faced a Queensland court on charges of allegedly supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Police will allege Smith played a role in supplying him with drugs while he was on a golf trip to the Sunshine Coast in June.
Roosters star Victor Radley is tipped to be moved by the NRL club following the leaking of his alleged text messages with a drug dealer when away on a golf trip on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast earlier this year
Earlier this year, club chairman Nick Politis (pictured, left) said he wanted a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy at the Roosters when it came to drugs
Pictured: One of the alleged text exchanges between NRL star Victor Radley (messages in grey) and Brandon Smith (messages in blue). An ‘8 ball’ is slang for an eighth of an ounce of powdered drugs
Radley (pictured with partner Taylah Cratchley) has not been charged with any offence
Earlier this year, club chairman Nick Politis said he wanted a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy at the Roosters when it came to party drugs.
‘My view is if somebody’s caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we are going to get rid of them,’ Politis told News Corp.
‘Our stance is zero tolerance. We are very strong on it. Trent [Robinson] is very strong on it.
‘We haven’t had to do that yet (move a player on) but we want to send a message to kids, and to mums and dads, that our club has that sort of stance towards this sort of thing.’
On Thursday, Rabbitohs star Brandon Smith was granted bail after fronting a Queensland court on charges of allegedly supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Smith – who will plead not guilty – is accused of sounding out a contact for Radley to allegedly purchase the cocaine.
Magistrate Deborah Mitchell granted bail on the condition that Smith doesn’t contact Radley or the accused drug dealer.
The Kiwi international refused to answer questions as he was swarmed by reporters and photographers.
On Thursday, Rabbitohs star Brandon Smith was granted bail after fronting a Queensland court on charges of allegedly supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting
Smith (pictured with partner Isabella Williams) will plead not guilty to all charges, his lawyer Paul McGirr confirmed
On August 25, Smith was charged by Queensland Police, which resulted in the Roosters becoming entangled in the saga.
Text messages allegedly exchanged between Smith, Radley and the accused drug dealer were uncovered in the police investigation.
The Daily Mail does not suggest any wrongdoing by Radley, and the Roosters player has not been charged with any offence.
Smith’s lawyer Paul McGirr told the Daily Mail the leaking of the document to the media ahead of Smith’s appearance in court was ‘very concerning’.
‘The bottom line is my client wasn’t anywhere near Queensland, didn’t organise an ounce, or drug or anything else. That was purely done by another party, not Mr Smith,’ McGirr said.
‘In respect to the second charge in relation to the team list (alleged betting offence), the team list was already public knowledge.
‘It is very concerning that material is being leaked before having gone into court.
‘The amount of detail in those particular matters, it would have to come from the fact sheet.
‘But I am not confirming or denying anything in any fact sheet because a fact sheet is only a narrative. A fact sheet is not actual evidence.’
Smith is due to next appear in court on October 9.
