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Robinson tells Radley it's time to grow up

3 minute read

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has told Victor Radley in no uncertain terms he must grow up after his involvement in an off-field incident.

Roosters coach TRENT ROBINSON.
Roosters coach TRENT ROBINSON. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Trent Robinson has told Victor Radley to grow up and start acting like an adult after the Sydney Roosters lock was kicked off a flight on the Gold Coast.

Radley remains the subject of an NRL integrity unit investigation, after he was left behind on Saturday night and made to fly back to Sydney on Sunday morning.

Radley was not flying with teammates while serving a five-game ban for a high tackle and dangerous contact, but had flown north from Sydney to watch close friend Ben Thomas debut.

There is no suggestion the Roosters lock was violent or abusive towards staff, but rather he and friends were intoxicated and too loud before take-off.

It's also the second time he has caught the eye of the NRL in the space of seven months.

The 23-year-old was also banned for two games and still has a $10,000 suspended fine hanging over his head after tackling a man outside a house party in Byron Bay in December.

In a brutal spray, Robinson confirmed on Wednesday he had told Radley in no uncertain terms he had to grow up and that his behaviour was not good enough.

"It's not what we want from our players so just don't do it," Roosters coach Robinson said.

"Act like a man in public and behave yourself. It's pretty simple.

"It's really frustrating. We don't want that in general public let alone someone that wears the colours every week.

"It's disappointing and shouldn't happen."

The incident comes at the end of a rollercoaster month for Radley, who looked set to earn a NSW State of Origin debut before his on-field ban stopped that.

Radley is known as one of the game's larrikins, but Robinson said he had to own his role as a leader at the Roosters and in the game.

"I want to see him assume the role of a leader in our game. People look up to Rads. He's a really good man and he's got good principles," Robinson said.

"And he wants to be a lad sometimes and that's not what we need from him.

"That's not what the game needs from him and that's not what the kids that look up to him need from him.

"He has to assume that responsibility of being an NRL footballer and leader at a club and we don't want (him) to act that way.

"It's not that difficult. Hand up who has got on a flight before? It's not that hard to get on a flight and get home."

The incident comes at a time where the Roosters are going through a leadership overhaul, with Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Brett Morris having all retired this year.

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