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Their relationship in Wests Tigers colours is just three games strong, but already Robbie Farah, Luke Brooks and James Tedesco are shaping as a devastating spine for their club – and possibly their state.
As a result of their exciting form thus far in 2014, they now bear the weight of Tiger expectations on their shoulders. Their hearts are set on returning the joint venture to the glory days of past seasons.
Just four games into his NRL career, 19-year-old halfback Brooks has been identified as a future Kangaroo and NSW Origin representative. He has drawn strong comparisons to the immortal Andrew Johns.
Tedesco, on the other hand, has endured a far quieter rise to NRL stardom, largely due to a string of injuries. Despite this, the 21-year-old fullback is another young Tiger cub who will one day achieve representative honours.
Combine these unpredictable young guns with the wealth of experience found in NSW and Australian hooker Robbie Farah, and the Tigers are sitting pretty.
In their demolition of a deflated Gold Coast Titans outfit last week, we discovered the unique bond they share. It is reminiscent of the magical way in which the pairing of North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen, and indeed, Melbourne’s feared Big Three, conduct business.
In many ways, this is New South Wales’ reply to Queensland’s Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith. For the best part of ten years, the Big Three have demolished any side that dares stand in their path to glory.
They took Melbourne to three premiership wins (though two were stripped), and eight straight State of Origin wins over the Blues.
These three sent NSW into and turmoil, resulting in the constant chopping and changing of their entire side. The Blues are desperately searching for someone to end Queensland’s reign.
Should Farah, Brooks and Tedesco find themselves standing alongside each other in NSW jumpers, prepared to face the likes of the Big Three, Laurie Daley and co may well have the Wests Tigers to thank for the development and nurturing of these talents.
Perhaps I am looking too far into the future, but I truly believe that these three can emulate the brilliance of Cronk, Slater and Smith.
They can end the Maroons’ rule in the State of Origin arena – provided, of course, that the Tigers manage to fend off competition for Tedesco’s prized signature.
It will not be his salary, however, that will entice the young fullback to remain a Tiger.
It will be the possibility of creating a name for himself, and becoming a cult hero among fans of his club and state with Farah and Brooks by his side – just as Cronk, Slater and Smith have done.
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