Victor Radley suffered an early exit during the Sydney Roosters’ matchup against the Brisbane Broncos after a serious collision involving teammate James Tedesco. The incident occurred as Radley chased down Broncos player Kobe Hetherington to avert a try, resulting in a head-on impact that left Radley on the ground. Concern for his wellbeing was immediate, with the club’s medical staff swiftly attending to him before taking him off the field.
The match at Allianz Stadium started under challenging conditions, as a heavy rain shower just prior to kick-off disrupted both teams. Lindsay Collins of the Roosters unexpectedly fumbled on the first play; nonetheless, the Tricolours managed to score first thanks to winger Dom Young.
Despite the promising start for the Roosters, losing Radley, one of their key players, proved costly. The 26-year-old exhibited symptoms consistent with a category one head injury, which was later confirmed by sideline reporter Danika Mason. His absence is especially problematic for the Roosters, who were already set to miss suspended front-rower Spencer Leniu in their upcoming round two clash against the Penrith Panthers.
The collision highlighted the physical nature of rugby league, underpinned by comments from Billy Slater, who remarked on the unfortunate circumstances of the play. Radley’s condition and subsequent unavailability represents a significant setback for the Roosters as they navigate the early stages of the NRL season.