Roosters suffer brutal early injury blow as star forward involved in sickening head collision with Sydney team-mate
The Sydney Roosters suffered a huge injury blow early on in their 2025 NRL season opener against the Brisbane Broncos after lock Victor Radley was taken off following a sickening head collision.
The Roosters vice-captain clashed heads with James Tedesco just 13 minutes into the match, as the pair attempted to bring down Broncos star Kobe Hetherington.
Concerning scenes unfolded as Radley, who has failed multiple head injury assessments in the past three seasons, immediately dropped to the floor and stayed down for several minutes.
Medicos rushed onto the field to provide the lock forward with treatment, before he stood up and walked from the field looking jaded.
“It’s quite likely game over for him,” Warren Smith on commentary told Fox League.
Fox reporter Lara Pitt later confirmed that he had suffered a category one and would not be returning to the field.
Roosters star Victor Radley was escorted from the field by doctors after suffering a sickening head injury 13 minutes into their clash against the Broncos
Radley (left) bumped heads with Roosters captain James Tedesco (right) just 13 minutes into Thursday’s clash
Radley has suffered multiple concussions over the past three seasons, notably
‘Victor Radley, you can’t imagine he stays on the field after laying prone… if you’re prone on the ground, that is the end of your night,’ Greg Alexander said on commentary.
It came after the home side got off to a flying start, taking first blood in the match, with Dom Young touching down after seven minutes.
But the visitors turned the tide on their opponents, with Gehamat Shibasaki, Cory Paix and Jack Gosiewski all crossing the whitewash early on in the match.
Amid slippery conditions at the Allianz Stadium, the Broncos ran into the sheds at half-time 20-4.
But reflecting on Radley’s head injury, NRL great Cooper Cronk said to Fox League: ‘There was desparation here for Victor Radley.
‘Radley didn’t look in good shape at all. He’s had some concussions in the past. But he’s a warrior.’
The Englishman notably failed a head injury assesment after suffering a Category One concussion during the Rooster’s Round 18 clash against St George in July 2024.
More to follow…
