When James Tedesco was dropped from the NSW side for the start of the 2024 series, it was meant to signal the beginning of the end.
After a storied run of form that had earned him a Dally M Medal, two RLPA players’ champion awards, three Brad Fittler Medals and a Wally Lewis Medal, some critics felt there was only one way to go after being sacked as state skipper.
Yet, it could be argued that the form the Roosters star has produced since, culminating in another grand final appearance on Sunday against Newcastle, has been every bit as spectacular as anything he has produced during his storied career.
A second Dally M Medal last year, the reclaiming of his Blues jersey and a potential World Cup berth with the Kangaroos is proof that, at the age of 33, “Teddy” is far from done.
“That’s always motivation for me when people doubt or criticise me,” Tedesco said.
“I’ve grown up with that and had a lot of it throughout my career, even in the early days when people told me I wasn’t good enough or wasn’t going to make it. That sort of drove me.
“I always had belief and confidence in my footy. When I’m not the best player on the field, that’s when the critics come out. It’s a pretty high bar, but I understand that.
“For me now, I don’t have to be the best player on the field; I just have to be a great leader and do my job. I have so much confidence and belief in the team we have. I feel very lucky to captain this team. I just have to do my job on Sunday, let these boys play, and that excites me as a leader.”
One of the criticisms of Tedesco, around the time he was dropped by the Blues, was that he was trying to do too much himself. The former Tiger admits there have been times when he overplayed his hand in the belief it was his responsibility to lead teams to victory.
However, he has worked out that sometimes less is more.
“I’ve gone through that battle,” he said. “It’s always a balance for me – whether it’s around the middle or on the edges – finding that line between doing too much and staying involved.
“I’m always going to be in the game, that’s just how I play. Throughout my career, I’ve sometimes gotten caught in trying to do too much and get my hands on the ball. Those are important lessons to learn. I don’t like when I overplay; I just want to be involved, so it’s about finding that balance.
“Nothing really changed in terms of how I play the game. I always just try to work harder on all my skills and then play without overthinking too much. Overthinking is what causes bad performances.”
Given the talent-laden Roosters side – 11 players have played at State of Origin level – coach Trent Robinson reminded Tedesco he doesn’t need to overburden himself.
“I’ll always come up with plays when I need to and be in the game, but I don’t need to go over-searching for it,” Tedesco said.
The mental side of the game is just as important for Tedesco as the physical. He has long leant on mindset mentor Joe Wehbe to focus on the things that matter.
“I’ve always got communication with Joe every week,” he said.
“That hasn’t changed throughout my career, whether I’m playing really well or not as well.
“It’s funny – your mind can be so powerful, but it can also be detrimental in the way you think about the game and yourself. The constant communication with Joe helps me stay clear in my mind and keep that confidence and belief in myself. His leadership and steering me in the right direction have always been really important.”
Harrison Graham has started in four NRL games. On Sunday, he starts in a grand final
Newcastle hooker Harrison Graham is adamant he is ready to fill the void left by suspended teammate Phoenix Crossland in Sunday’s grand final despite wearing the starting No.9 jersey just four times in his NRL career.
Crossland described the fallout from a tackle that broke the leg of Nathan Cleary as “the worst couple of days of my life” after copping a four-game suspension. The New Zealand international will miss the decider against the Roosters and the start of the Kiwis’ World Cup campaign after his sanction was handed down on Tuesday night.
Graham has been a capable foil for Crossland via the interchange bench, but has started only twice for the Knights since switching from the Dolphins at the end of last season.
The Knights have named uncapped rookie Diesel Hagan in their extended squad, raising the prospect of him becoming the first player to debut in a grand final since Eddie Lockhart for Balmain against the Roosters in 1936.
Regardless, Graham believes he is ready for whatever Newcastle requires from him on Sunday.
“I’m ready for whatever the team needs me for,” Graham said.
“A few weeks back in New Zealand, before the finals, I started over there against a quality outfit. Going into that week, I knew I had to stand up because Phoenix was out, and I just tried to bring what he brings to the team … I’ll just have to do that again.”
Crossland won the Danny Buderus medal as Newcastle’s best player of the season, and both men have had a huge influence on Harrison.
“He’s been massive,” Graham said of Crossland. “We’re best mates on and off the field. He epitomises what a Newcastle Knights player is, and everyone looks up to him.
“He’s been our best player all year. His effort areas are the big thing for him, including a lot of things people probably don’t see or that don’t get recognised enough. That’s how he’s helped me.”
Knights legend Buderus, now a member of Justin Holbrook’s coaching staff, has been a mentor to Graham.
“Oh mate, he’s awesome,” Graham said of Buderus. “Since I came here last November, I’ve just been trying to pick his brain every week. We sit down and watch a lot of video together.
“He was arguably the best player in his position, and he’s awesome to learn from.
“I just try to keep picking his brain, even when I’m out on the field and he runs out to give us water. I’m always bouncing ideas off him, he’s been massive for me.”
It’s a heady time for Graham, who is expecting to be a father in October.
“We still have a few more weeks,” he said. “I keep telling her to hold off, but there’s a lot going on. It’s a good distraction off the field, for sure.”
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