James Tedesco
Age: 20
2013 NRL games: 16
Earmarked as a future star of the NRL, Tedesco has made a successful return this season from a knee reconstruction.
Tedesco made his first NRL appearance of 2013 in Round 4 against Manly, lining up on the wing while Tim Moltzen played in the custodian role.
Tedesco moved into his favoured position of fullback in Round 7, but not before he was selected to make his representative debut after just four NRL games. Teddy, along with fellow Wests Tigers young gun Curtis Sironen, had a solid game for City in the annual fixture against Country.
The Camden Rams junior suffered a fracture in his leg against North Queensland in Round 11, but was desperate to get back on the field and see the remainder of the year out. The young fullback has shown how tough he is by not only playing through the pain, but also being one of the Wests Tigers best in recent weeks.
KEY STATISTICS
- 15 try-saves this year equal 5th in the NRL with only 16 games played (Inglis 21, Slater 20, Locke 20, Hoffman 16, Barba 15, Gordon 15 and Minichiello 15)
- 47 tackle breaks (3 per game)
- 5 tries
MICK POTTER SAYS
Teddy had high some high expectations put on him from prior to me arriving and he had some setbacks with a knee reconstruction and a couple of other injuries this year. He has shown his toughness playing through some pain and is only just starting to show what a class player he is.
He is still eligible to play Under 20s which is phenomenal and we keep forgetting that he is only a young player. Teddy has made a really good impact for us, having a very stable number one is really important for the team and the Club. I would like to think he could keep improving to help our team and maybe even feature in a couple of different representative teams in the coming years.
He needed to wear protection on his leg and had a shoulder problem earlier in the year. It was an injury that a lot of players wouldnt have played with. Being a young kid, he was given some confidence from the Club doctor and was able to play with a leg injury that some wouldnt have done. Its a credit to his character, his family, his own toughness and also his want to play. Overall he has improved his line running, ability to catch the ball and his ability to read the play.
In 2014 I expect him to be one of our leaders. I think he will be one of our leading tackle-breakers, one of our leading line-breakers and he will be a star of the Wests Tigers. Especially with our fans, he has that aura about him.
READ PART 1: DAVID NOFOALUMA
READ PART 2: SAUASO SUE
READ PART 3: AVA SEUMANUFAGAI
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