Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has nominated Victor Radley as one of the players he will be keeping an eye on 2021 as the Sydney Roosters enforcer makes his return from a season-ending knee injury.
Radley, 22, has been on the cusp of State of Origin selection but his hopes of playing last year evaporated when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against St George Illawarra in June.
When asked at a function for the Albury Thunder Rugby League club about the player he was most excited to see in 2021, Fittler responded: “I think Victor Radley is primed to play State of Origin at some stage.”
The Roosters were favoured to become the first team to three-peat since the Jack Gibson led Parramatta Eels of 1981-83, until ACL injuries to Radley and Sam Verrill proved a hurdle too big to overcome.
“He has been so impressive,” Fittler told The Sun Herald at the time.
“Seeing what happened Friday night actually reminded me of watching Luke Keary going down last year (with concussion).
“They're just so willing and tough and they look like such good team players - you can tell players love playing with them.”
Radley, a Clovelly Crocodiles junior, made his debut in 2017 and has quickly become a fan favourite. Widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound hitter in the NRL, Radley cemented his spot in an already star-studded Roosters side with his bruising defence and skilful ball playing.
After a promising start to an already successful career, honours soon followed for NSW U20s and the Junior Kangaroos.
