**<big>Tigers fullback James Tedesco seeks help to heal mental scars</big>**
**http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/wests-tigers/tigers-fullback-james-tedesco-seeks-help-to-heal-mental-scars-20150119-12tg4p.html\
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January 19, 2015 - 8:00PM
By Adrian Proszenko**
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Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco plans to link with a sports psychologist to ensure he is mentally as well as physically prepared to resume his injury-riddled NRL career.
Tedesco, 22, has set himself the goal of returning for the opening-round encounter against the Gold Coast but is prepared to bide his time to ensure he is fully recovered after rupturing his patella against Canberra in July.
The St Gregory's College product has had a horror run with leg injuries since making his NRL debut in 2012, restricting him to just 28 first-grade appearances. He returned to light contact work for the first time during the Tigers' training session at Concord Oval on Monday but the coaching staff will be taking a cautious approach to ensure he isn't rushed back too early.
On the recommendation of several players, Tedesco is considering talking with a sports psychologist to ensure there are no mental scars following another long layoff.
"I've been advised to see one bloke, which I think I will in the next few weeks when I get into playing," Tedesco said. "I'll do it before I start playing to get his thoughts on what he reckons. He works with a few other players I know and they have all given him raps, that's why it's been suggested to me."
Tigers teammate Aaron Woods has credited a mystery mentor for the form spike which resulted in representative honours for NSW and Australia, although it's unclear if Tedesco is looking to engage the same man. "I'll probably keep it secret," Tedesco said. "I shouldn't give his name away, he probably doesn't want to be mentioned."
The best-case scenario would be for Tedesco to play in the Tigers' final trial, against Cronulla at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on February 21.
"There's no real round or set target at the moment," he said. "My goal is to get back for round one but that's not 100 per cent [certain]. "I'm obviously pretty cautious, as are JT [coach Jason Taylor] and the training staff. My strength is a bit down, obviously my right side is a bit stronger and I need that to be more even so there's no risk of injury."
Tedesco's longer-term ambition is to make his State of Origin debut.
"It's something I want to aim for, especially with Jarryd Hayne leaving," said Tedesco, who made his City Origin debut in 2013\. "A spot has opened up a bit. The way Hayne was playing last year I thought 'I'm not going to get a look in over the next five years'. He's opened it up a bit there and it would be awesome just to get a mention.
"It would be good but I can't get too ahead of myself. They've got [Matt] Moylan contesting for it but if I can play like I did at the start of last year I could be a chance. It's definitely a goal over the next few years to have a crack and if I can stay on the field hopefully I can get a look in."
The Tigers will field an exciting spine which includes Tedesco at fullback, captain Robbie Farah at hooker and the young halves pairing of Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks.
"If we can all stay on the field it will be a big help," Moses said. "The past couple of years the injuries to key players has crucified us a bit. If we can stay on the field we're a big chance of making that top eight."
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**http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/wests-tigers/tigers-fullback-james-tedesco-seeks-help-to-heal-mental-scars-20150119-12tg4p.html\
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January 19, 2015 - 8:00PM
By Adrian Proszenko**
\
\
Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco plans to link with a sports psychologist to ensure he is mentally as well as physically prepared to resume his injury-riddled NRL career.
Tedesco, 22, has set himself the goal of returning for the opening-round encounter against the Gold Coast but is prepared to bide his time to ensure he is fully recovered after rupturing his patella against Canberra in July.
The St Gregory's College product has had a horror run with leg injuries since making his NRL debut in 2012, restricting him to just 28 first-grade appearances. He returned to light contact work for the first time during the Tigers' training session at Concord Oval on Monday but the coaching staff will be taking a cautious approach to ensure he isn't rushed back too early.
On the recommendation of several players, Tedesco is considering talking with a sports psychologist to ensure there are no mental scars following another long layoff.
"I've been advised to see one bloke, which I think I will in the next few weeks when I get into playing," Tedesco said. "I'll do it before I start playing to get his thoughts on what he reckons. He works with a few other players I know and they have all given him raps, that's why it's been suggested to me."
Tigers teammate Aaron Woods has credited a mystery mentor for the form spike which resulted in representative honours for NSW and Australia, although it's unclear if Tedesco is looking to engage the same man. "I'll probably keep it secret," Tedesco said. "I shouldn't give his name away, he probably doesn't want to be mentioned."
The best-case scenario would be for Tedesco to play in the Tigers' final trial, against Cronulla at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on February 21.
"There's no real round or set target at the moment," he said. "My goal is to get back for round one but that's not 100 per cent [certain]. "I'm obviously pretty cautious, as are JT [coach Jason Taylor] and the training staff. My strength is a bit down, obviously my right side is a bit stronger and I need that to be more even so there's no risk of injury."
Tedesco's longer-term ambition is to make his State of Origin debut.
"It's something I want to aim for, especially with Jarryd Hayne leaving," said Tedesco, who made his City Origin debut in 2013\. "A spot has opened up a bit. The way Hayne was playing last year I thought 'I'm not going to get a look in over the next five years'. He's opened it up a bit there and it would be awesome just to get a mention.
"It would be good but I can't get too ahead of myself. They've got [Matt] Moylan contesting for it but if I can play like I did at the start of last year I could be a chance. It's definitely a goal over the next few years to have a crack and if I can stay on the field hopefully I can get a look in."
The Tigers will field an exciting spine which includes Tedesco at fullback, captain Robbie Farah at hooker and the young halves pairing of Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks.
"If we can all stay on the field it will be a big help," Moses said. "The past couple of years the injuries to key players has crucified us a bit. If we can stay on the field we're a big chance of making that top eight."
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