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Telegraph
“The difference is about a centimetre,” he concedes.
“Actually, it’s a little more than that … but closer to one than two.”
Whatever, the gap represents just how far this unlucky Camden product sits from success.
Wests Tigers too.
The fullback, his footy team, even fans of the battling joint-venture all reliant on a limb that has now seen three surgeries in as many years.
It’s why Tedesco has begun measuring his quads.
TIGERS CHANGE THEIR STRIPES FOR NINES
DEFENSIVE WOES WERE MENTAL: BROOKS
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Why the 21-year-old has also altered his running style, overhauled his diet, even back squatting 140kg for the first time since 2012.
All because, in his words: “I can’t afford to get injured again”.
Nor do league fans want to see it.
Understanding how since his NRL debut three years ago, when that left ACL went ‘snap’, this cursed custodian has battled ongoing knee and ankle problems.
Even broken his patella.
Unsighted since being stretchered off in Round 16 against Canberra.
Should he get healthy, Tedesco will be one of the good ‘uns.
Part of a promising Tigers spine that also includes Robbie Farah, Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses.
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But as we said ... should he get healthy.
“Mentally, I’m fine, ready to go,’’ Tedesco tells The Sunday Telegraph.
“Some people have suggested I go speak with a professional, ensure my mind is right.
“And maybe I will closer to the season. But right now, I just want to get my body perfect.”
And by body, he means that left leg.
Yet to train with the team — and having already ruled himself out of the Auckland Nines — Tedesco is instead overhauling that running style Phil Gould once called “violent”.
See, despite his standing among the hottest young prospects in the game, this Tiger cub has been told he runs too heavy.
Carrying both hips and knees too low.
“So while I’m generating plenty of power,’’ he explains.
“It isn’t actually doing much good.”
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And so three times a week, working with the club’s new strength and conditioning coach Marcus Kain, he changes it up.
“Lifting my hips, using higher knees, improving my stride length,’’ Tedesco continues. “And my arms, they were all over the place.
“It’s a bit confusing but, basically, the way I ran placed too much pressure on my lower limbs.”
And we all know the results of that.
In the gym, Tedesco is also back doing a range of lifts untried since his ACL went.
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Apart from squatting 140kg in three repetitions, he also cleans 100kg and is working to improve his dead lift.
“So not the greatest numbers,’’ he shrugs.
“But a year ago I wasn’t doing any of them.
“I’m also doing a lot of single leg stuff. My left leg still isn’t as strong as the right. Not as stable. But we’re doing everything possible to get them even.”
Like not eating takeaway.
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“That’s gone too, yeah,’’ he laughs.
“All the crap stuff, the sugars and fatty foods are gone.
“I’ve also changed the way I stretch, put more emphasis on recovery, I’m even seeing a massage therapist each week.”
And as for his body being in sync by Round 1?
“That’s what I want, definitely,’’ he enthuses.
“But the main aim is to return 100 per cent fit.
“It’s not so much when I come back, but playing every game once I do.”
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