Victor Radley did not give retirement a moment’s thought when he was sidelined with his latest concussion lay-off, even as he was overwhelmed by people weighing in about his health.
The Sydney Roosters forward has sported headgear for his two NRL games since returning from a second game-ending head knock this year and seventh from the past four seasons.
He is set to miss this week’s clash against Melbourne with a minor shoulder injury but does not expect to spend long on the sidelines.
Radley needed almost a month to recover from the latest head knock – up from the 11 days for game-ending head knocks mandated by the NRL – and has been consulting extensively with experts.
He has reported no recurring symptoms since the latest setback.
“I’ve been completely fine so I’m really positive,” Radley told the media launch for Saturday’s Beer Footy Food Festival at Henson Park.
“I’ve been working really hard on some little things that the doctors and the professors gave me. But other than that, I haven’t had one issue.”
The latest head knock triggered public debate as to the playing future of Radley, who has one of the NRL’s most extensive concussion histories.
Radley has become used to people stopping him in the street to weigh in; he understands it, but it can be a lot for the 27-year-old to handle.
“Everyone has got their opinions which is a good thing because a lot of people will come up to me and make sure that I’m all right,’ he said.
“It’s all coming from a good place, but it can overwhelm me a little bit, when every single person you speak with says ‘Mate, make sure you look after yourself’.
“I see the best in the business with this stuff and they fill me with positivity. That’s all that matters to me, to only care about the opinions of people who know what they’re talking about.”
It’s why Radley had no thought of hanging up the boots when he went down with his latest head knock.
“I haven’t thought about retiring, but I’m not scared to, either,” he said.
“I’m a carpenter and a builder by trade. I’m not thinking about retirement, but it’s not because I’m worried about it. It’s not my time now.”
Radley left Friday’s loss to Cronulla with a recurring shoulder issue and will miss Thursday’s intriguing clash against top-four hopefuls Melbourne.
But he doubted he’d be sidelined long-term as the Roosters hope to keep pace with their rivals for a top-eight berth.
“It’s no problem at all,” he said.
“I’ve been managing it for the past few years. It’s not like I need surgery, but you’ve just got to keep your strength up.
“It happened pretty early in the first half, but I came off and let myself cool down and didn’t quite keep it as warm as I should have.”
Walters, Skinner get nod for coaching gigs
Kevin Walters has been confirmed as the new Kangaroos coach for the 2025 Ashes Tour while Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner has had her tenure extended through to the 2026 World Cup.
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys was confident Walters would build on the success of Mal Meninga, who has vacated the role to head up the Perth Bears’ entry into the NRL in 2027.
“As Kangaroo number 612, Walters is very well placed to lead the national team on a historic tour to the UK,” V’landys said.
“Kevin has played for the Kangaroos, had a successful coaching career with Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, and will bring that expertise into the national team for the Ashes.
Kevin Walters. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team.”
Walters has only been handed the gig for the Ashes tour and will need to prove he is the right coach to lead the Kangaroos to the World Cup next year.
“Playing on a Kangaroos Tour was always a pinnacle as a player, so to be able to lead the best of the best in this environment is very humbling and obviously very exciting.
“This series will be an important step for the growth of international rugby league and for the Kangaroos. I can’t wait to get started.”
The Ashes Tour will include Test matches at Wembley Stadium (October 25), Everton Stadium (November 1) and Headingley (November 8), while the Jillaroos will compete for the Pacific Championships in October this year.
“I’ve really enjoyed the chance to coach at this level so to be given the opportunity to coach the Jillaroos through the 2026 World Cup is incredibly exciting,” Skinner said.
“The women’s game is experiencing continued and significant growth so to be part of the journey at this level is a real honour.”
Carrigan OK with trio switching to Samoa
Australia forward Pat Carrigan wants to play alongside Brisbane teammate Payne Haas for the Kangaroos but will understand if he chooses Samoa instead.
Haas, Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have all represented Australia but will soon make a decision about whether they link with Samoa for the end-of-season Pacific Championships.
The tournament is on at the same time as the Kangaroos’ three-Test tour of England.
Carrigan was asked if he hoped Haas chose Australia.
“I’d hope so, as a fan I’ll line him up for us and cheer him on,” he said.
“Him and (Kevin Walters) have got a good relationship so I’m sure Kev will get into the big fella’s ears.”
Carrigan wants the best Australian team possible to tour but understands if Haas, Fa’asuamaleaui and Tabuai-Fidow honour a part of their heritage that is dear to their hearts.
“Everyone has different cultural backgrounds and family experiences,” he said.
“My love to play for Australia and for my country comes from my parents and their hard work so if those boys feel passionate about representing Pacific Island nations or little countries then so be it, that’s their choice and I think it makes for a better product.
Payne Haas. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
“I don’t begrudge them at all.”
It is a balancing act that Carrigan said the international game had got right after Samoa made the last World Cup final.
“They’re elite players in the Australian competition in our game so you want them playing for Australia, but I love where the international game is going,” Carrigan said.
“The boys represent their culture and their family and gone are the days where you had semi-finals in World Cups where someone was winning by 70 points.
“That’s where rugby league should be and I think it’s only better for our international game if the best players are playing for who they want to play for.”
The next World Cup will be hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea next year,
If Walters succeeds on the Kangaroo tour he will be a hot favourite to retain the position.
Carrigan was coached for four seasons at the Broncos by Walters and said he would make an ideal coach of the national side.
“His personality, his charisma, his passion for any jersey that he’s ever worn and especially for his country would be massive,” Carrigan said.
“He knows how to bring the best out in a wide magnitude of players from different backgrounds.”
with AAP
