When Mick Potter took charge of the Wests Tigers back in 2013, he inherited a physically broken version of James Tedesco whose promising career had stalled, following an NRL debut 12 months earlier which ended in him tearing his ACL in the first half.
After easing the wonderkid back via the wing for the first three games of his coaching tenure, Potter installed Tedesco as the club’s first-choice fullback and watched him almost immediately justify the hype which had accompanied him through the lower grades.
This week, ahead of Tedesco taking the field for the Roosters in his 200th NRL game on Saturday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Potter said he is grateful to have had the chance to coach the livewire No.1 and praised the player he has become.
James Tedesco's first 100 tries in the NRL
“He does everything for the Roosters, he’s everywhere isn’t he? He’s great, a great player and I love watching him,” Potter said.
“I’m just in awe of how much work he gets through and his ability, endurance and speed. His ability to reload so quickly and give 100 percent effort.
I’m really happy that I had some involvement with him as a young guy. He’s just phenomenal, I can’t compliment the guy enough.
Mick Potter
While there was no guarantee that the 2012 ACL tear, and the fractured patella which followed in 2014, wouldn’t hold Tedesco back from fulfilling his potential, Potter, who is currently the interim coach of the Bulldogs, said it was always clear he had the right mindset to overcome any physical challenges.
“He’s a testament to what you can do under adversity,” Potter said.
“You could see he was humble and he was determined, and I always thought he was going to be a very good player.
“He will go down, I think, as one of the greats. He’s got way more footy in him yet.”
Former Wests Tigers forward Adam Blair, who played in Tedesco’s debut match, said while everyone at the club knew he had talent, his career has been built on much more than that alone.
“What he has shown over the last 199 games is his competitiveness and an attitude to want to win,” Blair told pan66.com.
“It’s the little things that I admire. He’s not the biggest bloke, but when it’s time to put the team on his shoulders he is the first to put his hand up.
“Whether it’s a carry from the back, whether they are down by 10 and need something to happen, he’s the man.
The best of James Tedesco in 2021
“To see him kick on and not worry about what he has been through with the injuries, playing the way he wanted the play, it’s a credit to him.”
Tedesco becomes the ninth player to hit the 200-game mark this season, with the milestone coming after he celebrated scoring his 100th NRL try in round nine.