A ROUND of golf with former teammate Benji Marshall helped Tigers fullback James Tedesco make the painful decision to leave his junior club and sign a three-year deal with Canberra.
Although Canberra’s $1.9 million offer was comfortably in excess of what the Tigers could afford to keep him, Tedesco was still undecided when he teed-up alongside senior stars Marshall, Tim Moltzen and Braith Anasta at St Michaels Golf Club on Monday.
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“I had a good chat with them all, because they’ve all kind of been through it themselves,” Tedesco told The Daily Telegraph.
“They’ve also had a couple of injuries and learned that you’ve got to look after yourself when the chance comes around, because you never know how long your career will last.
“I really appreciated that advice.”
Tigers fullback James Tedesco all smiles during Wests Tigers training.
Tigers fullback James Tedesco all smiles during Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia
The 22-year-old’s dilemma turned nasty over the weekend, after it was revealed he and Panthers winger Josh Mansour toured Raiders HQ last Thursday.
Tedesco revealed that he was forced to de-activate social media notifications in the face of some confronting advice from Tigers fans.
“They wanted me to stay and they were disappointed when it looked like I might be leaving,” he said.
If only they knew the real story.
When Tedesco received his first offer from the Tigers a few months ago, something did not add up: his 2015 salary was less than his current contract value.
The Tigers hastily reconfigured the numbers, but Tedesco’s agent, Sam Ayoub, felt they still weren’t comparable for a player who was leading the Dally M votes at the time and had scored a try in each of his first four appearances.
Negotiations stalled, forcing Tedesco to test the market a few weeks ago.
Flush with cap space after Anthony Milford’s call to commit to Brisbane, Canberra needed a new fullback and had the means to pay handsomely for him.
In the end, it’s believed Tedesco stood to earn almost $200,000 a season more by joining Canberra.
“I understand it was hard for the Tigers and the negotiations went on for a while,” Tedesco said.
“It was disappointing that we couldn’t reach a position we were both happy with. My intention was stay at my junior club with my mates. It just didn’t get to where we wanted.”
In a welcome change for the Raiders, coaches Ricky Stuart and Dean Pay didn’t have to over-sell the ACT lifestyle to Tedesco, who lives in semi-rural Menangle, just a two hour trip up the Hume Hwy.
“People from Sydney always say Canberra is cold and boring, but I’m from Menangle, which is pretty quiet,” Tedesco said.
“I know a few of the boys like Paul Vaighan, Jack Wighton and Mitch Cornish from representative teams, and spoke to them a fair bit.
**“I also found Ricky great. People have their opinions about him, but for me he was very impressive in how he spoke about his plan to re-build the club.”**
Mansour is in a similar situation, with Canberra also out-bidding Penrith for the bullocking winger.
He will decide whether to join Tedesco following Friday night’s local derby against Parramatta.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/golf-with-benji-marshall-helped-wests-tigers-fullback-james-tedesco-decide-future/story-fni3fbgz-1226933733329
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Why didn't Tede$co play golf with Brooks, Mosses and Sirro instead!…he takes advice from a person who admitted he didn't put in for the club the last year...what a laughable article...
Although Canberra’s $1.9 million offer was comfortably in excess of what the Tigers could afford to keep him, Tedesco was still undecided when he teed-up alongside senior stars Marshall, Tim Moltzen and Braith Anasta at St Michaels Golf Club on Monday.
\
\
“I had a good chat with them all, because they’ve all kind of been through it themselves,” Tedesco told The Daily Telegraph.
“They’ve also had a couple of injuries and learned that you’ve got to look after yourself when the chance comes around, because you never know how long your career will last.
“I really appreciated that advice.”
Tigers fullback James Tedesco all smiles during Wests Tigers training.
Tigers fullback James Tedesco all smiles during Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia
The 22-year-old’s dilemma turned nasty over the weekend, after it was revealed he and Panthers winger Josh Mansour toured Raiders HQ last Thursday.
Tedesco revealed that he was forced to de-activate social media notifications in the face of some confronting advice from Tigers fans.
“They wanted me to stay and they were disappointed when it looked like I might be leaving,” he said.
If only they knew the real story.
When Tedesco received his first offer from the Tigers a few months ago, something did not add up: his 2015 salary was less than his current contract value.
The Tigers hastily reconfigured the numbers, but Tedesco’s agent, Sam Ayoub, felt they still weren’t comparable for a player who was leading the Dally M votes at the time and had scored a try in each of his first four appearances.
Negotiations stalled, forcing Tedesco to test the market a few weeks ago.
Flush with cap space after Anthony Milford’s call to commit to Brisbane, Canberra needed a new fullback and had the means to pay handsomely for him.
In the end, it’s believed Tedesco stood to earn almost $200,000 a season more by joining Canberra.
“I understand it was hard for the Tigers and the negotiations went on for a while,” Tedesco said.
“It was disappointing that we couldn’t reach a position we were both happy with. My intention was stay at my junior club with my mates. It just didn’t get to where we wanted.”
In a welcome change for the Raiders, coaches Ricky Stuart and Dean Pay didn’t have to over-sell the ACT lifestyle to Tedesco, who lives in semi-rural Menangle, just a two hour trip up the Hume Hwy.
“People from Sydney always say Canberra is cold and boring, but I’m from Menangle, which is pretty quiet,” Tedesco said.
“I know a few of the boys like Paul Vaighan, Jack Wighton and Mitch Cornish from representative teams, and spoke to them a fair bit.
**“I also found Ricky great. People have their opinions about him, but for me he was very impressive in how he spoke about his plan to re-build the club.”**
Mansour is in a similar situation, with Canberra also out-bidding Penrith for the bullocking winger.
He will decide whether to join Tedesco following Friday night’s local derby against Parramatta.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/golf-with-benji-marshall-helped-wests-tigers-fullback-james-tedesco-decide-future/story-fni3fbgz-1226933733329
*************************************************************************
Why didn't Tede$co play golf with Brooks, Mosses and Sirro instead!…he takes advice from a person who admitted he didn't put in for the club the last year...what a laughable article...
