- Radley’s name was referred to in court summons
Footy star Victor Radley won’t play in the upcoming Ashes series for England after informing coach Shaun Wane he was unavailable for selection.
It follows the Roosters forward’s unwitting involvement ex-teammate Brandon Smith’s cocaine scandal, which cost the Roosters star $200,000 and saw him postpone his 2026 wedding.
Radley was issued a 10-game ban by the Tricolours for bringing the game into disrepute.
He also handed over $30,000 to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney and won’t be paid when sidelined next season.
Additionally, the NRL is expected to hand down its own sanction.
Text messages are referred to in court documents that show Smith is accused of unlawfully supplying Radley with cocaine at Currimundi, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, on June 7.
Footy star Victor Radley (pictured with fiancee Taylah won’t play in the upcoming Ashes series for England after informing coach Shaun Wane he was unavailable for selection
It follows the Roosters forward’s cocaine scandal that cost him $200,000 and saw him postpone his 2026 wedding (Radley is pictured with fiancee Taylah Cratchley)
Despite the drama, England coach Shaun Wane was going to pick Radley (pictured playing for England) in the three-game series against Australia
Smith, who is now with South Sydney, appeared in court recently on the Gold Coast and will fight allegations of drug supply and disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Radley has not been charged with any offence and the Daily Mail does not suggest he is guilty of any wrongdoing.
A remorseful Radley, 27, said he was ’embarrassed’ after being dragged into the saga and acknowledged he had let down his partner Taylah, his family and the Roosters.
‘I didn’t want the people I love to feel the way I felt. I want to make sure the people I love are all right and I made them feel like s**t. That hurt the most. That was disappointing,’ he told News Corp.
‘It was a negative spotlight on the club and that’s something I don’t want to do…and it’s something I will learn from and move forward.
‘My fiancée, she has been the rock for me. As hard as it is for her, she hasn’t shown it too much.
‘She has still stood there (while pregnant) and made me feel safe and told me that everything is going to be okay.’
Despite the drama, Wane was going to pick Radley for the three-game series.
‘Victor has been an outstanding player for England for the last three years, but we respect his decision,’ he said following the development.
‘We need 24 players who are fully focused on the historic opportunity of facing Australia in an Ashes series.’
