As Roosters legend Anthony Minichiello said: “Teddy has built a wonderful career here at the Roosters. There’s no way I can see him in another jersey.”
Tedesco told the herald he speaks with Marshall all the time, but there would be no fairytale return.
The bigger appeal would be working out how to get the most out of him, Manu and Suaalii, even if it meant moving into the No.6 role in his final years.
James Tedesco training with the Tigers before making his first-grade debut.Credit:Steve Christo
Suaalii’s preference is fullback, while Manu will turn heads in the No.1 for New Zealand at the World Cup.
“It’s hard because everyone wants to play fullback,” Tedesco said.
“It’s the position where you get your hands on the ball the most, and you’re allowed to be free, which a lot of young players want to do. You can’t blame them for that.
“It’s tough because Suaalii and Joey love to get their hands on the ball and are top-notch footy players.
“Suaalii always comes to the fullback meeting and wants to learn. It will be interesting to see what happens. He is also one of the best wingers in the game right now.
“I played five-eighth for Italy at the World Cup. It could be an option down the track. You never know. The fullback and five-eighth roles are the same these days. you see [Cameron] Munster do it at Melbourne.
“It requires a different fitness. Fullbacks do a lot of running, but five-eighth you’re a lot more forward and making more tackles.
James Tedesco continues to provide a handful for opposition sides.Credit:Getty Images
“I’ll leave it to Robbo. I do know every club would want Suaalii and Joey at their club.”
Tedesco speaks regularly with Marshall, and the Tigers’ legend even reached out to him about a homecoming.
“Benji lives down the road from me, and before he was even announced as head coach at the Tigers, he texted me about coming back,” Tedesco said.
“I never thought he was serious at the time. He was appointed coach and then all these stories came out about me [returning].
“I’m close with Benji but I’m very happy at the Roosters. Robbo also signed on for another five years this year, and that’s a big factor for me. He’s the best coach I’ve ever had. I can’t thank him enough for not only what he does for my game and confidence on the field, but how he has helped me as a leader off the field.”
Joseph Suaalii has been a standout on the wing, but wants to be a fullback.Credit:Getty Images
Robinson has run out of superlatives to say about Tedesco whenever the pair attend post-match press conferences after a win.
The fact Tedesco is able to shine in a team with so many superstars makes his performances extra special.
That point was not lost on Parramatta skipper and Tedesco’s regular golf partner Clint Gutherson, who said: “He has been the best player in the game for five or six years now. Just his consistency from him every week, you don’t see it often, and especially in a team where there are so many other players who can take the spotlight off you.
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Tedesco ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on debut for the Tigers. He later suffered a syndesmosis injury, smashed the kneecap in his same left knee – Tedesco has since reached out to Ryan Papenhuyzen who suffered the same long-term injury – broke his jaw, cracked the scapula in his shoulder, and required up to half a dozen clean-outs of his knee.
But since 2017 Tedesco, with the help of a large support network, including his mentor Joe Wehbe and massage therapists, has stayed on the field to produce some breathtaking football.
The kind of football that will trouble the Cowboys at the SCG, help continue the Roosters’ surge to September, and ultimately lead to “Teddy” one day entering the Immortal debate.