As James Tedesco prepares to go head-to-head with Reece Walsh on Saturday night, his long-time Sydney Roosters coach, Trent Robinson, was asked if the star fullback was in career best form.
"Jame's Tedesco is always in form," Robinson replied. "He is in James Tedesco form."
Tedesco, 33, is now in the15th season of a career in which he has achieved almost everything in the game - premierships (2018, 2019) Origin glory (2018, 2019, 2021), World Cup victory (2022) and Dally M Medals in 2019 and 2025.
Yet the Roosters captain shows no sign of slowing down and is averaging more running metres per game (229m) than any player this season besides South Sydney's Matt Dufty, who has played just two NRL matches.
James Tedesco's Dally M hype reel
"It's the consistency that he applies to the game and the training and in both attack and defence," said Robinson, who has coached Tedesco for nine seasons.
"There are no peaks or troughs with that so when it comes to 'is he in form', he is always in form, because of the way he prepares both physically and mentally, so he is just delivering on that week to week."
In last week’s ANZAC Day win against the Dragons, Tedesco ran for 278 metres, scored a try, produced two try assists, two line-breaks and made five tackle breaks.
The previous week against the Knights, he ran for 270m, scored a try, produced three try assists and three line-breaks, while making an equal career best 16 tackle breaks.
He is second for total run metres (1608m) behind Edwards (1671m), but has played one less match than the Panthers star.
Beyond the highlights reel, Tedesco’s workload has been reflected in his involvement around the ruck and on kick returns - consistent areas that the Roosters have dominated.
"It is a habit rather than form. I feel really privileged that he is in this club and I get to coach him," Robinson said.
Vintage Tedesco
The decorated NRL veteran is set to play his 284th NRL game on Saturday night at a packed Allianz Stadium against the Broncos, who boast the latest fullback superstar in Walsh.
The incumbent Kangaroos No.1 returns after missing three matches due to a fractured cheekbone in a boost to the 2025 premiers, who also welcome Pat Carrigan back from suspension.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire is confident Walsh is fit to play and is excited to have him back in the mix.
Reece Walsh's 2025 try-scoring season
“He wanted to come back last week, he’s loving playing footy at the moment," said Maguire, who backed Walsh for the Maroons No.1 jersey in the upcoming Origin series.
"He’s been jealous watching the team do well over the past few weeks.”
Walsh brings speed and instinct to the Broncos' side, while Tedesco’s influence brings game control and repetition to the Roosters.
Against a Broncos side built on instinct and speed, which repeatedly shifts momentum through broken play, Robinson is confident in Tedesco’s ability to absorb pressure, rather than amplify it.
The Roosters are again looking to Tedesco’s reliability in the backline to control their sets and maintain possession throughout the clash.
“We’re confident in the direction that we're heading,” Robinson said.
“Our best is yet to come. There's a hunger in this group to keep improving as a footy team”.
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