'What a joke': Fans up in arms over NRL 'robbery' amid fresh fears for Victor Radley
NRL fans have been left seeing red after claiming the Newcastle Knights were 'robbed' in their 12-8 defeat to the Roosters on Saturday night. The controversial defeat came amid fresh concerns around Roosters star Victor Radley, who failed to finish the game at McDonald Jones Stadium after the latest concussion incident for the luckless star.
Radley suffered his second game-ending head knock of the season after attempting to tackle Fletcher Hunt during the second half of the game in Newcastle. He will now miss at least next week's clash against North Queensland, before the Roosters have their third bye of the season in the following week.
But it continues a worrying run of head knocks for Radley, who has one of the most extensive concussion histories in the NRL. The Roosters forward has now gone down with seven game-ending head knocks in the past four seasons. He's also undergone 5 HIA's this year and failed two of them. And it's sparked major concerns around Radely's future in the sport.
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Roosters coach Trent Robinson is remaining calm despite the latest development around his star though, with teammate Egan Butcher also ruled out late on after a succession of head knocks against Newcastle. Robinson was in charge when concussion forced the retirement of Roosters legends Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner and many fans suggested Radley could be heading the same way, despite Robinson's suggestion to the contrary.
"They said they were close to passing (head injury assessments)," the Roosters coach said about his players after the game. "They're going to have this week and then our bye week so they're going to have some rest on the back of that. Do the right recovery, he gets the bonus of an extra week (off)."
7 concussions/failed HIA's in the past 4 seasons. Radley's also undergone 5 HIA's this year and failed 2 of them... oh dear... 😳 https://t.co/zRlIdf8MSx
— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon) June 14, 2025
Surely the @sydneyroosters and the @NRL have a duty of care with Victor Radley. Someone needs to save him from himself. #nrlknightsroosters
— Mystery Man (@1King0) June 14, 2025
Victor Radley failing his HIA … come tf on man. At some point enough should be enough #NRLKnightsRoosters
— Sam (@aotesam) June 14, 2025
Another failed HIA for Radley, serious conversations need to be had
— Kieran Gray (@KieranGray96) June 14, 2025
Radley's latest concussion came before the Bunker awarded the Roosters a controversial late try that left fans incensed. With the Knights up by eight after a first half try to Kyle McCarthy and a Dane Gagai penalty goal, the Roosters hit back after a sensational James Tedesco run and offload set up Salesi Foketi to reduce the deficit.
But the real drama was yet to come as Newcastle flyer James Schiller dropped the ball over the tryline at one end, before Siua Wong scored a contentious go-ahead try at the other end. Wong won the race to a clever Tedesco grubber into the in-goal but appeared to knock the ball on as he tried to ground it.
The try was reviewed and the Bunker official ruled that Wong had grounded the footy with his forearm, which is completely legal. However, replays suggested the Roosters forward brushed the ball with his hand and did not regather it before grounding it, sparking uproar across social media as the Roosters hit the lead and hung on for victory.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien decided to bite his tongue in the post-match press conference after criticising his own fans for booing during last week's win against Manly. But Newcastle skipper Gagai made his feelings clear about the decision which was widely panned around the NRL world.
"They said there was no separation but I've never seen someone control the ball with their forearm before," Gagai said after admitting it was a "tough pill to swallow". He added: "But in saying that, we had our opportunities to win the game."
I'm a neutral in this, the Knights were absolutely robbed.That hasn't been a try in over 100 years, but watch the commentary team gloss over over it because they don't want to upset the flogs from the top end of town.Shame. #NRLKnightsRoosters
— Log (@LogPowerslave) June 14, 2025
That Suia Wong try should've been a no try. Absolutely robbed. #NRLKnightsRoosters
— Francisco (@zayn_francisco) June 14, 2025
Another bunker howler ruins a great game #NRLKnightsRoosters
— Sharman Chandra (@sharmanchandra) June 14, 2025
Another game ruined by the bunker, it happens at least every second game now #NRLKnightsRoosters
— Michael John (@gyftzk9pkb) June 14, 2025
Not a try all year. What a joke.
— Luke Morgan (@LukeTheMorgz) June 14, 2025
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U.S. flag football players want to end the 'us vs. them' narrative with NFL
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