NRL player Victor Radley has denied the allegations which have earned him his second nomination for The Frownlow Medal in just a few months. Radley was reportedly kicked off a flight recently for drunken behaviour, but claims he was just in a good mood.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while AFL player Elijah Taylor is the most recent recipient.
The Sydney Roosters player was kicked off the flight from the Gold Coast to Sydney for alleged drunken behaviour, and was forced to fly back home the following day. He claims he was just laughing loudly and not drunk, but he is still under investigation by the NRL. This follows an earlier investigation after he landed himself in trouble for tackling a man on the street late one night in Byron Bay in December 2020.
The Roosters might be losing their patience with the talented back rower. He didn’t play against the Titans, and only flew up to watch a friend play, because is currently suspended for a head high tackle in a game a few weeks ago. He has already weakened a team without Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend, Lindsay Collins, Brett Morris, Angus Creighton and others, as well as James Tedesco who was on Origin duty.
When Radley was eventually allowed onto the plane, he joined Roosters players and officials on the same flight – awkward.
Some pundits even tipped Radley to play for NSW this year. At this rate, he may not play at all. At least he can console himself with the knowledge that he is in a much stronger position to win The Frownlow Medal, which will be awarded later this year.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 