In his five years at the Wests Tigers, James Tedesco only managed 90 appearances. All of those came about in regular season football.
He was known as the talented youngster, once part of ‘The Big Four’ who couldn’t manage to string a full season together. After debuting in Round 1 of the 2012 NRL season to much fanfare, Tedesco only managed thirty minutes before he suffered a torn ACL.
Then in 2014, a fractured patella cut his season short again. As luck would have it, it was against the Canberra Raiders – the very same team he backflipped on a three-year deal with starting in 2015.
But it would be in middle of the 2017 season, that Tedesco would make the most important play of his career. A play that wouldn’t even be on the football field. He would sign a four-year deal with the Sydney Roosters starting in 2018 – and he hasn’t looked back yet.
This was encapsulated after Tuesday night’s 42-6 win over the Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs in which the man they called ‘Teddy’ scored three tries, ran for 237 metres, broke 10 tackles, made two line breaks and had five line break assists.
(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Pretty good for a man whose career once looked at a crossroads.
Even Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who has mentored the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Cooper Cronk, was lost for words after Tuesday night.
“He was… he was Teddy”, Robinson said.
And that’s just the simple truth. There is no denying Tedesco’s game has continued to develop under the tutelage of Robinson and the Roosters staff since his departure from the Tigers.
As the Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie highlighted last week, the reigning Dally M medalist’s running metres have continued to rise over the years. In 2016, Tedesco averaged 132 metres a game. This year it is now over 230 metres.
In 90 appearances for Wests, he managed 50 tries from 90 appearances. In just 52 appearances for the Roosters, he has already amassed 30 tries.
Since debuting with Easts in 2018, Tedesco has won: two NRL premierships, two State of Origin series, 2019 Dally M medal, 2019 Wally Lewis medal and the 2018-19 Jack Gibson medal (Roosters player of the year).
And let’s not forget his heroics for both his club and state last year when he scored the match sealing tries in both Game 3 of the State of Origin Series and the NRL grand final.
Since Billy Slater’s retirement at the conclusion of the 2018 season, the league’s top fullbacks have been jostling to be the top number one.
From Tom Trbojevic to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and even Kalyn Ponga, the game’s title as ‘best fullback’ has been up for grabs.
But from what we’ve seen from Tedesco since his time at the Roosters, capped off in Tuesday’s night victory.
There is no denying who is the game’s number one man.
Womblat
Guest
Yeah he's frenetic like a human buzzsaw isn't he, he's got the most distinctive running style besides Papenhuizen in the comp. Loads of sheer unadulterated power. Won't break land speed records but will break stacks of tackles. Is Elephant Juice on sale at Costco?
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
He revitalised his career by moving, not sure he was bailing on the Tigers, but he made a brilliant choice to move.
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
a chip and chase would simply be too deadly for him to have. His game is already far ahead of many, but a decent kicking game could possibly make him one of the most well-rounded players in the league (if not the most well-rounded).
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
Can't even imagine the level he could be at currently if he hadn't suffered a string of injuries. he might've already been in the talks for the greatest fullback along with players like Slater, but those talks don't seem far away.
Doug Graves
Guest
"Tedesco: So courageous, so professional, so elite." True, it's everything the Wests Tigers aren't. I can't blame him for bailing anymore.
Paul
Roar Guru
I've visions of him doing a kick and chase, then standing up the fullback to score the series winning try, in this years deciding SOO.
WESTS for Life
Roar Rookie
I hope all you Chooks supporters appreciate what Wests Tigers put in to Tedesco in developing him to the level he was when he defected. You are quickly taking over the 'silvertails' tag from Manly, in that you develop little of your own talent, preferring to pilfer other teams talent. Go the mighty 'fibros'.
The Barry
Roar Guru
ATM - you want the ball in his hands as much as possible, not kicking it away... :stoked: But I know what you mean...
Paul
Roar Guru
The only thing he could add to repertoire is a decent kicking game, but given what he showed last night, he probably doesn't need that at this stage of his career.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He’s absolute dynamite Clearly not only the best fullback, but the best player in the game at the moment I wonder how Tedesco’s emergence so soon after has impacted Billy Slater’s chances of being an immortal. I wouldn’t have a problem with Slater making it but suddenly he doesn’t look the “once-in-a-lifetime” player he did a couple of years ago PS the author forgot to mention Teddy’s two try assists last night on top of his other incredible stats - what a freak !!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
There have been some damn good FBs over the years and I wont say Teddy is the best Ive seen but he is totally unique. Probably Minichello is closest to him in style but that pinball machine running style is Minichello on elephant juice. He has incredible balance , good vision, great handling . what more can you say? I think Turbo Tom is a better defensive FB but there is not a lot in it. Just like last year, QLD will be incredibly competitive in Origin again but unfortunately he plays for that other team.
Rob
Guest
I don't think I can remember a player having a run of form that has been this good for this long. Ever since the 2018 Origin series he has been brilliant week in week out.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Teddy has great advantages of being part of a very strong and well managed team, but he has continued to improve most individual aspects of his own game. He is extremely fit, positions himself to take part in any scoring opportunity , has a great step and is strong off both feet, his defence is always sound, and now that he passes the ball, he is even more dangerous than in previous years. Easily the best number 1 in the game at present, and is the fullback that every club must wish they had signed up.
kk
Roar Pro
My humble apologies Thomas Costigan.
kk
Roar Pro
Excellent read, Ryan. Tedesco: So courageous, so professional, so elite.