‘I'm not thinking about retirement': Victor Radley sets the record straight on concussion fears

News.com.au

3 days ago

Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley is confident he'll be fit to face the Storm on Thursday night but will need to see how his shoulder feels over the next few days as he revealed he has no plans on retiring soon despite concerns over his concussion history.
Radley came off late against the Sharks with a shoulder concern but is adamant it's not something to worry about.
'It's all good. It's just shoulder issues I've had previously that I was working through,' 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's my right shoulder that I've had issues with, but this time it was my left. It's no problem at all.
'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. It was a little bit dead on me, but it's no problem.'
The Cronulla game was his second one back after he missed a month of footy following his latest head knock.
The Roosters lock was forced from the field against the Knights in round 15 and did not return, with data showing he's has seven concussion or failed head injury assessments in the past four seasons.
The club has always looked after its players when it comes to brain health which is why they were in no rush to bring him back, but Radley insists he's fine.
Victor Radley has failed his HIA & won’t return - will enter the NRL’s concussion protocols with associated 11 day stand down.
Radley has had 7 concussions/failed HIA’s in the past 4 seasons. He’s also undergone 5 HIA’s this year and failed 2 of them. Hope he’s OK. pic.twitter.com/s13kCmA8n3
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 14, 2025
'The head is really good,' he said.
'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.
'Even since then, I've had minor knocks and not one symptom (as a result). I've been completely fine so I'm really positive.
'I've learnt some lessons over the past 12 months, especially at the start of the year with how to deal with it all.
'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.
'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. Everyone else is to just keep them happy.'
Retirement has been suggested by some people not in his inner circle, and while it's not something he's considering right now, he says he has things in place to ensure he's ready to look after his young family when he eventually hangs up the boots.
'No one ever really comes up to me and says 'you should retire',' he said.
'Maybe there's some stuff in the media, but I just brush that. It's just the people who come up to me and say 'mate, look after yourself. You've got a family'. I think I do know that I've got a family.
'It's all coming from such a good place that I thank them and put it to the backburner.
'I haven't thought about retiring, but I'm not scared too, either. 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.'