New Arrival Brings Joy After Challenging Period
Victor Radley, the prominent NRL star, and his fiancée Taylah Cratchley have shared wonderful news with their followers, announcing the birth of their second son. The couple revealed they've welcomed Cruze Nigel Radley into their family, bringing happiness after what Radley described as a "hellish" year both professionally and personally.
Family Announcement and Details
The delighted parents made their announcement through a joint Instagram post on Wednesday, featuring two photographs of their newborn. Their caption read: 'Vinnie got to meet his brother yesterday. Cruze Nigel Radley, big 10.2 pounder. Go on my son.' The middle name Nigel serves as a heartfelt tribute to Victor's father, continuing family traditions.
Their first son, Vinnie Cash Radley, was born in January last year, making him the proud older brother to newborn Cruze. The family's happy news received enthusiastic responses from numerous rugby league personalities, including Radley's teammate Angus Crichton, former Souths star George Burgess, Cronulla great Paul Gallen and Penrith legend Mark Geyer.
Professional Challenges and Personal Resilience
The birth arrives after Radley faced significant professional difficulties. In August, the Roosters enforcer became involved in the most substantial scandal of his career when his name emerged in drug-dealing allegations concerning his former teammate Brandon Smith.
Police have accused Smith, who now plays for Souths, of unlawfully supplying cocaine to Radley at Currimundi on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on June 7. During their investigation, authorities uncovered text messages allegedly exchanged between the two players.
Although Radley hasn't been charged with any offence, the Roosters imposed a record penalty against the 27-year-old. His punishment included a 10-match suspension without pay and a requirement to donate $30,000 to Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital. Initially, this suspension would have prevented his return until round 11 of the 2026 season.
However, following discussions between Roosters coach Trent Robinson and chairman Nick Politis, the penalty was modified. The club agreed to count the recent three-Test Ashes series and two pre-season matches, making Radley available for selection from round six instead.
Personal Impact and Future Plans
The scandal had profound personal consequences for the couple. Radley revealed they had to postpone their wedding, originally scheduled for late next year, due to both the emotional strain and financial impact of the sanctions, which initially cost him approximately $200,000.
Speaking to News Corp, Radley expressed his feelings about the situation: 'I felt embarrassed, to be honest. The club and my family were the two I had to worry about. I didn't want the people I love to feel the way I felt.'
He particularly acknowledged Cratchley's support during this challenging period, stating: 'My fiancée is getting bombarded, but she has been the rock for me. As hard as it is for her, she hasn't shown it too much. She is 32 weeks pregnant but has still stood there and made me feel safe and that everything is going to be okay.'
Regarding their wedding plans, Radley explained: 'We were organising it, but we're gonna struggle to come up with it anyway now with how expensive they are. We'll put it on the back-burner.'
The birth of Cruze represents a new beginning for the family as they move forward from a difficult chapter, focusing on their growing family and future together.
