‘I’m definitely not perfect’: Radley’s road to Origin redemption

Like most NSW high school students in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Thursday mornings after State of Origin was often a tough time for Victor Radley.

Yet even during Queensland’s era of unbroken dominance, when the Maroons registered eight straight series wins between 2006 and 2013, the Clovelly junior – who first laced up the boots aged four – could not get enough of the interstate contest.

“Me and my three brothers’ mood the next day at school completely depended on the result,” Radley says. “We used to go to bed at 7.30pm most nights, but Origin was a late one for us. It was my favourite time of year when it came to rugby league.

“[Queensland’s era of dominance] was never great to watch, but there’s definitely some good memories there.”

Origin nights would see the four Radley boys pile in front of the television with their father, Nigel – a man of few words and even fewer when the football was on.

Game two, 2014 was one of those evenings Radley remembers vividly. It was the night Jarryd Hayne carried the Steeden over the dead-ball line and into Blatchy’s Blues as NSW finally ended Queensland’s series-winning streak.

But it is another Wednesday night, just a year earlier, that is etched deepest into Radley’s memory. The night Paul Gallen famously landed the last great Origin punches – a left jab then right cross to the ample head of Queensland enforcer Nate Myles.

“I’m not even sure if NSW won that game, but I just remember being over the moon,” Radley says. “They were the fondest memories.”

A player many believe is tailor-made for State of Origin, Radley’s attraction to the confrontational and chaotic side of the game comes as little surprise.

Across 10 seasons of first grade, the Sydney Roosters forward has built a reputation for headbutting the line between aggression and recklessness. A series of off-field incidents has only added to Radley’s reputation as one of rugby league’s most fascinating characters.

“I’m just me. I’m definitely not perfect,” Radley says. “I think people have their perceptions. Some are probably right, some wrong … I don’t know. I’m not really too fussed. I’m no golden boy, anyway.”

Through those Origin nights, Nigel quietly hoped his son might one day get a chance in that arena. Nigel’s English heritage was also the reason Radley chose to represent the Three Lions in recent years – a decision that, while honouring Nigel’s side of the family, looked to have closed the door to Origin.

“Obviously I chose to play for England because of his side of the family, which was a great experience,” Radley says. “But I reckon if you asked him, he would have said, ‘Choose the Blues’. He’ll be so stoked I get a chance to play for the Blues after the last four years I’ve had playing for England. It’s all worked out OK.”

A change to the eligibility rules this year, allowing players to represent both their state and a tier-one nation, paved the way back to Origin for Radley.

His father’s reaction after learning of his son’s selection in the Blues side was typically understated.

“He’s a man of few words,” Radley says. “I rang him on Sunday and he said, ‘Happy days’, and that was about it.”

Brothers Harry, Jack and Lewis will be at Accor Stadium for the game.

“They’re lunatics,” said Blues great Andrew Johns this week. “They’ll be screaming and winding him up.

“Kill or be killed. There isn’t [much] science to the way Victor is playing. He’s going to be good. Imagine when he’s prowling up and down the sideline about to go on.”

What does Radley make of the perception that he is made for the Origin stage?

“It’s nice to hear people say that, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing I can control other than what I do on Wednesday,” Radley said. “No one’s going to talk about me like that unless I do what I have to do.”

And what are the non-negotiables when he gets on the field?

“Defend well and have high energy,” Radley says.

The end of last year was among the toughest periods of Radley’s career. He was hit with a 10-match suspension and $150,000 financial penalty by his club after being implicated in a Queensland Police investigation that later led to former teammate Brandon Smith facing a drug supply charge. No criminal charges were laid against Radley and Smith is fighting his.

“It was a bit gnarly there for a week, but my life hasn’t been changed by that week,” Radley says. “We were dealing with some shit but from then on, I felt the love from the club and felt the love from my family and friends. I got on with normal life.

“I got a pretty severe punishment, though I think it was good. The club came out and said, ‘This is what you’re copping’. I said, ‘Sweet’, accepted it, and moved forward. It was good that it was as short and sharp as possible and didn’t get dragged out.”

Radley refused to feel sorry for himself. He trained hard, spent time supporting his pregnant partner Taylah, and poured his energy into renovating a Bondi apartment they plan to list on Airbnb.

It was familiar work. As a teenager, Radley spent his days on building sites alongside Nigel, learning the carpentry trade long before he made a living as a footballer. He still enjoys it but in small doses.

“A couple of days is enjoyable. But I’m not going to do a month of it,” Radley says.

Most league-loving NSW kids eventually accept they will never play for the Blues. Radley had, too.

Now, he suddenly finds himself preparing for the game that captured his imagination as a boy growing up in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

It will not be lost on him what Origin means to kids sitting in classrooms across the state, nor the role he and his teammates will play in determining their mood next Thursday morning.

“I was once that kid trying to high-five the boys,” Radley says. “I have to remind myself I am living the dream.”

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