Clear similarities but Potter insists Tedesco is a cut above

[InBenjiWeTrust]

**POST EDITED BY ADMIN**

February 6, 2013

Scott Dougherty - SMH
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/clear-similarities-but-potter-insists-tedesco-is-a-cut-above-20130205-2dwkr.html#ixzz2K3NLXe61
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THEY went to the same high school and made their first-grade debuts at the age of 19 as fullbacks, but new Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter does not see the likeness between himself and James Tedesco.

''Unfortunately I don't see too many similarities because he's a lot better than what I was,'' Potter, the two-time premiership winner, said on Tuesday of Tedesco, a fellow graduate of St Gregory's College in Campbelltown.

''He's certainly bigger, he's faster, he's stronger. He's had a tough run with a knee reconstruction after his first game in the NRL but he's bounced back in pre-season and done very, very well. I'm happy with the way he's going and I hope he's happy with the way he's going.''

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/clear-similarities-but-potter-insists-tedesco-is-a-cut-above-20130205-2dwkr.html#ixzz2K2mDX2wz

 

[Guest]

Clear similarities but Potter insists Tedesco is a cut above
February 6, 2013

Scott Dougherty - SMH

THEY went to the same high school and made their first-grade debuts at the age of 19 as fullbacks, but new Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter does not see the likeness between himself and James Tedesco.

''Unfortunately I don't see too many similarities because he's a lot better than what I was,'' Potter, the two-time premiership winner, said on Tuesday of Tedesco, a fellow graduate of St Gregory's College in Campbelltown.

''He's certainly bigger, he's faster, he's stronger. He's had a tough run with a knee reconstruction after his first game in the NRL but he's bounced back in pre-season and done very, very well. I'm happy with the way he's going and I hope he's happy with the way he's going.''

This Friday night in Bathurst, Tedesco will put on the Tigers jersey for the first time since his knee buckled under him half an hour into his debut at Leichhardt Oval in the opening round last season. His goals are understandably a little subdued.

''Just getting through round one is a goal for me,'' Tedesco said. ''I'm not aiming for first grade in round one though, just to play good footy and hopefully get a call-up. I'm pretty much just looking at playing the full season injury-free.''

Tedesco has not let slip the rare opportunity of playing under someone regarded as one of the best fullbacks of the past 50 years.

''[Potter's] given me a few tips and advice with things I can improve and work on, it's really helpful,'' the 20-year-old Camden Rams junior said. ''He played fullback and knows the game.''

Potter said Tedesco would get ''half a game and feel his way around'' on Friday night against Penrith in a trial of combined sides made up of players from the NRL, NSW Cup and under-20s.

Having grown up in Menangle, just south of Campbelltown, Tedesco is eyeing off a shot at playing in front of his home crowd, possibly in round two when the Tigers take on Penrith at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

''Leichhardt was a great debut, the crowd was amazing, but to have a home game at Campbelltown would be awesome,'' he said.

''When games were on here growing up, I always tried to be there.''

Potter grew up just down the road from Menangle in Camden.

He and new Roosters coach Trent Robinson join a line of St Gregory's old boys, including Jack Gibson, Tim Sheens, Jason Taylor, Ivan Henjak, Daniel Anderson and Peter Mulholland, to coach in the NRL. ''I don't know why there's been so many, but I think it's probably the passion the school has had, and I think Peter Mulholland had a lot to do with the passion,'' Potter said.

''He coached me there and that effort put in through the school is still paying off.

''It's a good stamping ground for rugby league and other sports, too.''

Mulholland - considered by many as the king of schoolboy coaches after guiding St Gregory's to four Commonwealth Bank Cup trophies - recruited Potter to the school.

''He was always going to be a good coach and he'll do a great job at the Tigers. He was coached by Warren Ryan and Brian Smith and he took a lot from them.'' Mulholland said.

 

[max_smart]

I think the battle between him and motlz will be intriguing all season, and we shouldn't under rate the fact that potter was a dally m full back in his own right. looking forward to watching him fly again this year!

 

[Tigrr]

Potter has given him a massive rap, good on him. I am really keen to see Tedesco shine !

 

[tig_prmz]

this reminds me of the hodkinson/keating situation at bulldogs last year.

hodkinson is clearly waay better than keating.. but he was injured.
that made keating try his guts out trying to make sure he plays good enough to not get kicked out
i doubt keating will keep the form from last year, meaning hodkinson will be there at no.7 within the first 5-6 rounds i think.

hope moltzen can do what keating did. this is his last chance.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Judging from this evidence Moltzen will be keeping fullback warm for Tedesco. People are noticing this talent. What about Moltzen then. Does he have a second favourite position?

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Judging from this evidence Moltzen will be keeping fullback warm for Tedesco. People are noticing this talent. What about Moltzen then. Does he have a second favourite position?

It was Benji's House, but now the new missus has moved in, he doesn't go there very often :smiley:

Seriously though, Moltzen is clearly a 5/8\. I'd love nothing more than to see Tim switch to 5/8 if he gets time in NSW Cup. This is his position and I think he will really shine with the 6 on his back and I feel many have forgotten he is a 5/8.

The other scenario would be Bench. While I'd rather 4 Forwards in rotation, maybe Ayshford can shift into the pack giving Moltz game time?

 

[alex]

The other scenario would be Bench. While I'd rather 4 Forwards in rotation, maybe Ayshford can shift into the pack giving Moltz game time?

No point really, we'd be better served having a fresh forward come on and absolutely spend themselves for 20 minutes as an impact player than move Ayshford there after his legs have been running around for 60 minutes. If there's a back on the bench I'd rather it be Utai.

Moltzen has very little time to hang on to that #1 jersey. Potter has openly praised Tedesco in several articles for many months now, both through the Tigers website and the wider media. Only now have we seen something written about Moltzen, and there's not even any quotes from the coach, only from Tim himself. Moltzen's biggest problem is his confidence - the fact he didn't have any when there was no competition for his spot last year, it will be interesting to see how he reacts now that Tedesco is back on the scene and breathing down his neck knowing the hype surrounding him.

 

[cktiger]

It is a foregone conclusion ( barring injury) that Moltzen will start at the back as long as Miller is at half.
Potter wouldn't put 2 guys with less than 5 full first grade games between them to form 2/3 of our spine-and don't be surprised if Miller doesn't cut it that Moltzen will be back in the halves.
All the talk about Miller and Tedesco is just that - talk.
Everybody is putting the cart before the horse as neither has proved themselves at NRL level .
There have been plenty of juniors talked up as the next big thing before falling at the last hurdle.
Both guys have plenty of ability - let them develop naturally before putting the weight of expectation on such young shoulders.
If either one of them strings two bad games together they will be crucified on this forum.
Regarding Moltzen I believe his main problem at fullback is positioning himself for the high ball.
Talk of him being a poor defender is ridiculous .
As for passing to his wingers , all fullbacks do this at times and I seriously don't think he would have been doing it as often as he did last year without instructions to do so.
Compare it to 2011 where it wasn't even worth mentioning.
His attack speaks for itself - missed four games but was leading tryscorer , had most linebreaks and was 4th in tackle busts.
If he fixes his problems with the high ball then Tedesco will really need to be playing out of the box - or hoping Miller can't handle top grade.

 

[Hbom]

It is a foregone conclusion ( barring injury) that Moltzen will start at the back as long as Miller is at half.
Potter wouldn't put 2 guys with less than 5 full first grade games between them to form 2/3 of our spine-and don't be surprised if Miller doesn't cut it that Moltzen will be back in the halves.
All the talk about Miller and Tedesco is just that - talk.
Everybody is putting the cart before the horse as neither has proved themselves at NRL level .
There have been plenty of juniors talked up as the next big thing before falling at the last hurdle.
Both guys have plenty of ability - let them develop naturally before putting the weight of expectation on such young shoulders.
If either one of them strings two bad games together they will be crucified on this forum.
Regarding Moltzen I believe his main problem at fullback is positioning himself for the high ball.
Talk of him being a poor defender is ridiculous .
As for passing to his wingers , all fullbacks do this at times and I seriously don't think he would have been doing it as often as he did last year without instructions to do so.
Compare it to 2011 where it wasn't even worth mentioning.
His attack speaks for itself - missed four games but was leading tryscorer , had most linebreaks and was 4th in tackle busts.
If he fixes his problems with the high ball then Tedesco will really need to be playing out of the box - or hoping Miller can't handle top grade.

Disagree with just about all of that.

Miller and Tedesco may not have proved much, but Moltzen has proved (given a large number of chances) that he is not quite up to the job of full-back or half-back. Miller is a genuine half-back, Tedesco a genuine full-back, Moltzen neither and most likely a genuine 5/8 or utility back.

I do hope however, given the opportunities in 2013 that I am sure Moltzen will get, that he plays outstanding football and helps the team succeed. Also happy for him to prove me wrong and show he is a genuine full-back, but from what I have seen he is not.

 

[Irvine]

Good point CK the person taking Tedesco's spot is Miller not Moltzen. The rest of your ramble as usual is garbage. I have watched Miller play a lot of games and have never really been impressed his defense is atrocious.
Your man is just treading water I think he even knows that.

Tedesco is brilliant as is Moses..they will be the long term 1 and 7.

 

[cktiger]

Good point CK the person taking Tedesco's spot is Miller not Moltzen. **The rest of your ramble as usual is garbage**. I have watched Miller play a lot of games and have never really been impressed his defense is atrocious.
Your man is just treading water I think he even knows that.

Tedesco is brilliant as is Moses..they will be the long term 1 and 7.

:laughing: A ramble backed by facts .
Not saying both Tedesco and Moses aren't brilliant - just unproven.
And that is also a fact.
In the end we all want the best team on the paddock to keep us winning games.

 

[tig_prmz]

experience means jack all if you dont learn from it.
this is moltzen's last chance as far as my opinion is concerned