The Sydney Roosters have reportedly told Victor Radley and his management to start looking at other options for 2026.

It comes after explosive texts revealed in court documents linked him to former Rooster and current South Sydney Rabbitohs dummy half Brandon Smith and an alleged drug dealer in Queensland.

While there are no claims that Victor Radley did anything unlawful, and Queensland Police have not charged him, the Roosters have a strict zero-tolerance policy on drugs.

It's something chairman Nick Politis has expressed previously, and with reports now suggesting the club may look for an amicable solution to not have Radley on their books in 2026, it seems relatively clear Radley will not be a Rooster next year.

With that said, he hasn't broken the law and has not been stood down by the NRL.

It would appear there will be plenty of clubs lining up to secure his signature, due to only a few star players left on the market for 2026, and some clubs still having spots available and money to burn.

Here are the most likely landing spots for the English international.

5. Manly Sea Eagles

Failing to reach expectations this season, the Manly Sea Eagles need to add some new blood to their roster if they want to remain a premiership contender in 2026 and the coming seasons.

There is no better way to do this than by bringing in Victor Radley, who is still in the prime of his career and will allow Jake Trbojevic to shift into the front-row - a position he has played on the State of Origin and international arena.

Losing Daly Cherry-Evans to the Bondi-based side in 2026, could a swap between the Queensland representative and Radley be on the cards?

2 COMMENTS

  1. Crucially, it depends what clauses are in Victor’s contract. If the Roosters included some clause to the effect that they could terminate the contract for “actions which have brought the club into disrepute” (or equivalent wording) then the Roosters may be able to push him out of the door.

    If there is no such clause, then Victor could contemplate telling Nick Politis that he intends to see out his contract, or he will only leave if the Roosters agree to top up whatever contract he gets elsewhere to $700K for the next two seasons.

    Nick is unlikely to agree to paying freight (and losing face), so Victor ought to get himself photographed every day turning up for training every day for the pre-season. If the Roosters turn him away, and/or don’t pay him at the end of the first month of pre-season, then a solicitor’s letter may be in order.