Immortal Andrew Johns says Victor Radley should resist calls to change his game, amid suggestions the Sydney Roosters enforcer needs to tone down his aggression.
Radley was suspended for five weeks midway through the 2021 season for a high tackle, then copped a further three weeks on the sideline late in the season for a dangerous contact charge.
Radley will line up at lock for the Roosters in Friday’s grudge match against the Rabbitohs, a game sure to be fiery.
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But Johns implored Radley to maintain his aggressive style.
“You can’t change the way he plays. People say he’s got to change, he can’t change,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy & Joey’s Tips.
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“He’s been playing like that since he’s been five. If he changes the way he plays then his timing will be out.”
Speaking before the season began, Radley acknowledged that the suspensions in 2021 took their toll in a year where the club was decimated by injuries.
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“I didn’t really hold my weight last year,” he said.
“Hopefully I have worked hard enough and am in a good position too, so really pay back a bit.
“I missed five weeks, missed another three, and then with all the injuries we had going on, it was really hard for me to sit on the sideline fit with all the injuries we had.”
The two foundation clubs have had a fierce rivalry over the years, with Friday’s match sure to be no exception. Both coaches, Trent Robinson and Jason Demetriou, have spoken this week about the extra intensity that comes with a match between the arch-enemies.
That’s sure to be ratcheted up a notch this time around, with Latrell Mitchell facing his former team for the first time since he shattered the cheekbone of Joey Manu, a hit which ended the 2021 season for both players.
Andrew Johns: Dragons, Warriors, Roosters, Knights, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Brad Fittler: Sharks, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Paul Gallen: Sharks, Warriors, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Darren Lockyer: Sharks, Warriors, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Wally Lewis: Sharks, Warriors, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Billy Slater: Dragons, Warriors, Roosters, Knights, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
David Middleton: Sharks, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Michael Chammas: Dragons, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Raiders, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Peter Psaltis: Sharks, Warriors, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Mat Thompson: Dragons, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers, Eels, Raiders, Broncos, Sea
The Mole: Sharks, Warriors, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Titans, Broncos, Sea Eagles
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