Roosters enforcer Victor Radley has revealed a conversation with Dylan Napa was the trigger for his newfound status as a rugby league cleanskin.
Radley has been charged by the NRL Match Review Committee just once this year, a $1000 fine for a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle in Round 12. It marks a stark turnaround for a forward who has missed 12 games throughout the past three years through suspension.
As the negative perception of his playing style mounted, the 26-year-old said it was the decision to stop worrying about outside opinions that has led to his improved discipline this season.
"I had a conversation with Napa last year when it was stressful and I got suspended for headbutting [Blake] Lawrie," Radley said.
"I just got rid of everything and said who cares, I'm going to risk it all. There's a line off Top Gun, 'don't think, just do', that's what I did."
Radley sent to the bin
While it may seem an unconventional approach, it has clearly worked for Radley.
The forward spent eight weeks on the sidelines in 2021, with a further four last year. In addition, he received seven separate charges amounting to $15,500 in fines from 2021-2023.
Radley recognises his footwork around the contact zone has developed and improved fitness has reduced the likelihood of lazy high shots but revealed he has made no changes to his tackling technique this year.
Instead, he puts the clean record down to his carefree attitude.
"I came in with the motto at the end of last season to risk it all and stop caring about anything," Radley said. "That's all I've done. I've not cared and just played rugby league.
"I was having so many conversations with different people that I just f---ed it all off and said 'who cares, let's go out and play rugby league and have fun'. That's all I've been thinking about.
"With age you learn different skills and footwork which helps with high tackles and maybe not trying to smack people's faces off helps as well."
Radley's newfound choirboy status hasn't gone unnoticed with his teammates, with the players noticing the impact he's made across 18 games this season.
Centre Joey Manu has spent much of the year playing on the right edge alongside Radley and recognises the fine line he's been walking to maintain his aggression without stepping too far.
Radley gives Olam the treatment
"We want him on the field," Manu said. "He's still got that aggression in what he does and all the pressure he puts on opposite players.
"It's been awesome having him on the edge, I love playing next to him."
Radley is slightly uncomfortable discussing his improved suspension record out of fear he's tempting fate. The last thing he wants is to pick up a suspension throughout the final four weeks of the season and miss the finals.
It's a run home that starts on Friday night when the Roosters host the Eels at Allianz Stadium before they take on the Titans, Raiders and Rabbitohs.
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 24 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Currently sitting in third position, the side is perfectly placed to secure a top-four finish but each opponent poses a different challenge.
Parramatta's near miss against the Panthers last week was a timely reminder of their ability to hang with the best teams in the competition.
Radley has relished a clean run on the field and he's determined to ensure he's playing a key role as the Roosters look to send out a host of departing players with a premiership.
"There's nothing worse than getting suspended," he said. "You feel [small] for the whole period. At training you can't help at all, it's the worst. So it's good to have been on the field.
"Everyone's trying to do everything they can to win each day. I don't think anyone's looking too far ahead. We had a meeting about worrying about each day, making this day perfect and hopefully the result takes care of itself."
