Victor Radley is ready to roll against the North Queensland Cowboys this Saturday in Townsville, and after plenty of self-reflection, is determined to cement a spot as a leader of the side.
While Round 3 was a disappointing outing for the Tricolours, Radley was positive that a reversal in fortunes would come sooner rather than later - and was enthusiastic ahead of the side's next task against the Cowboys this week.
Radley: "We've Got to Stick Together and Work Hard"
“We’ve got to take our lessons,” Radley stated.
“We did that yesterday with our review. We’ll be definitely better for it. We’re just not hitting the mark but we’re working hard, and I’m sure over the next few weeks we’ll hit our straps.
“We take it personally as a pack. After Round 1 it was a bit of a wake-up call, and we responded pretty well but for whatever reason, it didn’t go as well.
“We’ve got to stick together and work hard. You kind of get this steeliness from it. There’s positives to take out.
“It’s just hard work – that’s what it comes down to so I’m keen to get out in the wrestle room and on the field today.”
Roosters Members and supporters know Radley as a knockabout larrikin that is beloved by the local community, but the man himself is looking to add another string to his bow - this time as a leader both on and off field.
Head Coach Trent Robinson has played a major factor in the lock forward's search for personal development and maturity, something that he says is happy to develop in good time.
“He’s sat me down in his office and had some tough conversations,” he explained.
“I’m lucky to have someone like that I really respect and that can tell me how it is. To have someone like that who I really, really respect to sit me down and tell me how it is and tell me what I need to do is really helpful.
“As a leader, I’ve got work to do in that department. It was more along the lines of that, I’ve got twelve to 24 months to earn respect as a leader. It doesn’t come in a short space of time, it’s going to take a while to ‘fill in the cup’. It comes in drips and drabs.
"I’ve been working hard on my own game. I guess with age I’ve matured. I guess I’m a bit more conscious of what I’m doing. I guess I’ve had a bit of stuff happen (in the past) and had a bit of a lightbulb moment.
“I haven’t shown it yet, but I’ve got a lot of time to prove that I am. I like to think that I’m in a good spot right now to spend time doing that and then hopefully I go get some respect from my peers as a leader.
“I learnt the hard way. I’ve learned some good lessons I hope to say that I’ve matured and moving forward, but I’m still myself and I’ll try keep on top of it."
I’ve had some good honest chats and it’s helped. I’ve been working hard on my own game. I guess with age I’ve matured. I guess I’m a bit more conscious of what I’m doing.
Victor Radley On his development as a leader
A week is a long time in Rugby League, and Radley says that a change of pace with leaving Sydney's gloomy skies for Townsville's humidity and heat will do him and the side a world of good - particularly playing on a dry track that suits his ball-playing prowess.
The prospect of taking on the Cowboys - who themselves have found form to start the season - at their home ground is a challenge that the 24-year-old is looking to collide with head-on.
“Especially after the weekend, I’m excited to get away to Townsville together,” he said.
“That always helps. I’m keen to get away then hopefully put a big performance in and keep building our season.
“We’ll have closer look at them, but I’m sure it’ll be tough. It’ll be 35 degrees up there as well, that’s going to be tough as well.
“It’s always exciting – I remember playing there last year a few times when we were in Queensland. It’s a cracking field, it’s warm and it’s always a hardish, fast ground so it’s a good place to play footy.
“They’re kind of on top of you, they’re loud and it reminds me a bit of when we played in England where they’re all spraying you.
“I dreamt of doing that my whole life as a kid to play in front of a crowd and these crowds are the best to play in front of.
“They can say what they want to me. It’s all just blurry noise which is good, it won’t be worse than what my brothers and my dad say to me!”
