victor radley said he did not think he would be there after a 12-month stretch that included a 10-match suspension at club level and a State of Origin debut for NSW in Game 1. The interchange forward has now gone from serving time without pay in September to pulling on the Blues jersey after rule changes in February opened the door for him.
Radley and the Blues
"You know I didn't think I'd be here," Radley said on Channel 7's Agenda Setters: Rugby League. He added: "Obviously, the rule was in place, I couldn't play Origin but I always believed I'd be black painting the NRL and playing for the Roosters and that was kind of my focus and you know I think you know it was a bit of a kick up the backside that I needed and I've worked really hard so yeah I'm proud that I'm here now."
That call-up ended with him making his Blues debut off the interchange bench in Game 1. Radley played 51 minutes in the middle and recorded 93 run metres as NSW beat Queensland 22-20.
September to February
The suspension came in September after he brought the Roosters into disrepute in an off-field scandal, leaving him out for 10 matches without pay. He returned to the Roosters only after five NRL games this year, then became available for Origin when rule changes concerning Tier 1 nation eligibility were introduced in February.
The Roosters board later deemed his contributions to the England Ashes side and preseason matches acceptable under the punishment, which helped clear the path back to club football before the Blues selection arrived.
Game 1 at MCG
Laurie Daley also reshaped the NSW side before Game 1, bringing Mitchell Moses into the team after the Blues missed the jump three weeks ago. Moses was ruled out of the opening match shortly before game day with a hamstring injury, while Ethan Strange reverted to the six-man bench and Tolutau Koula shifted into left centre.
Radley said of Moses: "He's definitely playing, he's 100% in, he did the full session today, he was looking at a million dollars, so I look forward to playing with him, it'll be my first time playing with him," and Mark Nawaqanitawase will make his NSW debut on the wing after Casey McLean dropped out with injury last week. NSW and Queensland meet again at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 17, with Radley's rise from suspension to Origin selection now part of the Blues' selection story.
