Rugby league might not be rocket science, but getting the mix right with the volatile fuel that is Victor Radley is foremost in the mind of Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco.
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Radley will return from a three-game ban in Saturday's NRL elimination final against Gold Coast in Townsville.
That ban, for dangerous contact on Brisbane kicker Albert Kelly's legs in the Roosters' round 22 clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, means the fiery lock has sat out eight games through suspension this season.
Tedesco is welcoming Radley back with open arms for the clash with the Titans, but acknowledges the 23-year-old needs to make sure his aggression doesn't spill over into a situation which could hurt his team.
"Rads has been sitting there just wanting to play," Tedesco said.
"Obviously the suspension, it hurts him a lot so I know he's going to be fired up and ready to go.
"It's just making sure it's controlled fire."
The spark that could provoke another Radley meltdown is Gold Coast niggler-in-chief Jarrod Wallace.
The Titans' prop got under the skin of Warriors recruit Matt Lodge in last Sunday's game at CBUS Super Stadium, the pair trading barbs as both got sin-binned in a Gold Coast's 44-0 win.
Wallace denied he would set out to target Radley in Saturday's game in an attempt to get the Rooster into hot water, instead praising his rival's talent ahead of the do-or-die clash.
"I don't come out to look to do that at all," Wallace said.
"If it happens during the game, it's just what happens.
"There'll be a lot of emotions flying and Victor's such a strong player for them. That's what he builds his game on.
"He's one of my favourite players to watch, I think he's a fantastic player, so I can't wait to come up against guys like him."
Australian Associated Press
