"Gone to another level": How club record suspension changed Radley

Sydney Roosters assistant coach Nick Davis has provided insight into how Victor Radley has improved himself following his monster suspension by the club.

The England representative was handed the biggest club-imposed suspension in the Roosters’ history of 10 matches without pay, alongside a $30,000 donation to St Vincent’s Hospital last year following a drug-related scandal.

The incident was significant enough for the Tricolours that chairman Nick Politis was prepared to sack the 28-year-old over it before changing his mind.

Despite the ban being for 10 games, Radley will be back in red, white and blue despite only missing out on nine matches (three for England during the Rugby League Ashes and six for the Roosters across the pre-season and premiership season).

This was thanks to coach Trent Robinson and Director of Football Mitch Aubusson demonstrating to the club’s board the work the forward has done since his ban.

Reflecting on his suspension, the Roosters’ kicking coach explained that Radley has used the punishment to improve himself as a person and as a leader.

“It's been really interesting to see how the club and everyone has gone about it,” Davis noted on SEN’s Arvos with Adam Peacock.

“He's worked really hard in his training and in himself.

“His leadership has gone to another level. His maturity has gone to another level.

“There's going to be a lot of sceptics out there that are thinking, ‘Oh well, it was meant to be 10’.

“It was a club-imposed sanction; it was the heaviest one in Roosters history.

“But the board, Robbo (Trent Robinson) and Aubo (Mitch Aubusson) have seen fit to let him come back a couple of weeks early.”

Davis also noted that Radley took up work outside of the Roosters during the suspension.

“He's done his time, and he hasn't just gone and sat away and gone on holidays,” he continued.

“He went and got a proper job (as a tradie), and he's worked really hard on himself.

“So, we'll be looking forward to having Rads back.”

The Roosters are currently in Perth, gearing up for their Round 6 clash against the Cronulla Sharks at Optus Stadium.

Kick-off is at 5:30pm AEST.