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Article from NRL.com
While a devastating and controversial finish ruined what many people believed to be the Tigers’ year, there is plenty to be excited about for 2012 in Tigertown.
Along with the NRL team’s strong finish, the NYC team made the semi finals, and one of the club’s two feeder sides, Balmain Ryde-Eastwood, also played finals football, and they had plenty of representative players throughout the grades. With Tim Sheens’ noted ability to grow a young superstar, there are plenty of chances for young players at the Tigers.
We take a look at two players who could find themselves in the NRL spotlight in 2012.
Matt Groat
Groat made his debut in unusual circumstances, joining the bench late in round 12 after playing in the NYC game when Wade McKinnon twinged a hamstring during the warm-up. He then played in eight of the Tigers record breaking nine-game winning streak, cementing his spot ahead of the departing Andrew Fifita, and never looked back.
Another product of St Gregorys College at Campbelltown and a 2011 Junior Kangaroo, Groat has the power and leg-speed to be a successful front rower in the NRL, as well as a tremendous work ethic.
With Bryce Gibbs and the aforementioned Fifita both moving to Cronulla in 2012, and veteran forward Todd Payten retiring, there are forward spots aplenty at the Tigers next season. With a bench spot locked down, Groat will be out to push fellow Tiger cub Aaron Woods for the starting spot alongside Kangaroo Keith Galloway.
James Tedesco
While not as talked about as some of the other Tiger cubs from the NYC, Tedesco has just as much potential. A fullback in the Brett Hodgson mould, Tedesco won the Tigers NYC Coaches Award this season after coming into the side following a successful campaign with the Wests Magpies SG Ball team.
His speed, agility and support play are something the Tigers have been missing since Hodgson’s departure, with the fullbacks who’ve followed unable to replicate the premiership winner’s endearing qualities.
With Tim Moltzen also moving on this year, Tedesco is likely to get a shot at the first grade spot at some point, but with two years left in the NYC competition, he still has plenty of time on his side. With players like Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah creating the magic, Tedesco could be the x-factor they’ve been looking for to back it up and finish it off.
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This Tedesco is interesting isnt he. He’ll certainly be bigger than Hodgo. I wonder if he’ll get a taste in the tirals? Seems like he’s highly rated and plays well above his age.
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Watching him play he looks to be a player of the future, as the article mentions, his support play is a real strength.
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how far away is he?
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how far away is he?
He looked good in the U20s, as for NRL, need to see him in a trial as sirro has mentioned but I don’t think he’ll be rushed as he is young, I think he’s around 18.
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how far away is he?
He looked good in the U20s, as for NRL, need to see him in a trial as sirro has mentioned but I don’t think he’ll be rushed as he is young, I think he’s around 18.
As they always say, good enough is old enough.
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Jake Mullaney looked good in the U20’s too
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I can see Tedesco getting a few starts in 2012 in top grade
Personally from what I have seen I think Mullaney won’t even be able to lace Tedesco’s shoelaces in the future -
Oh my God! Where do you come up with this garbage? Jake Mullaney was absolutely untouchable in NYC! He’d rank in the top 5 NYC players of all time imo. James Tedesco has played half a season of NYC and he was alright. One game he was awesome, the rest he was okay. Mullaney absolutely slayed NYC. He went on to drown in the State Cup and never get a shot at first grade (yet) but Tedesco hasn’t even played a State Cup match. The only level they’ve both played at was NYC and Mullaney showed bucketloads more than Tedesco has so far. That’s not to say Tedesco isn’t better, or isn’t going to be, but going by fair comparisons, you just cannot suggest Tedesco is better than Mullaney.
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I can when we saw some of Mullaney defeciencies in NYC I reckon if players struggle defensively in NYC you won’t make it at NRL level We have seen the same thing with Lui
Lui struggled defensively in NYC at look at the issues we have had with his defence
What some people on here have to realize that attack is only one part of rugby league and looking good in attack in NYC isn’t that hard due to the fact these guy can’t cope with the extra game time etc -
Jake Mullaney was absolutely untouchable in NYC! He’d rank in the top 5 NYC players of all time imo. James Tedesco has played half a season of NYC and he was alright. One game he was awesome, the rest he was okay.
When Mullaney was Tedesco’s age he hadn’t played a game of NYC yet. Tedesco has played 13 and if Towney hadn’t gone off the rails in the off season Mullaney may never have got a run.
But your right Mullaney took his chance and he did have an unbelievably good year in 2009.Joel Wisby was another stand out player in 2009 at age 17 he won coaches award…just like Tedesco did this year…what happened to him ?
Its a tough road for these kids you can be the next big thing one year and on the scrap heap 12 months later. -
It must be hard & theres a big step from NYC to First grade, & a lot of these young guys have people telling them how good they are, from Managers & friends & relatives. Things change in the off season & some of these guys just dont cope.
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Oh my God! Where do you come up with this garbage? Jake Mullaney was absolutely untouchable in NYC! He’d rank in the top 5 NYC players of all time imo. James Tedesco has played half a season of NYC and he was alright. One game he was awesome, the rest he was okay. Mullaney absolutely slayed NYC. He went on to drown in the State Cup and never get a shot at first grade (yet) but Tedesco hasn’t even played a State Cup match. The only level they’ve both played at was NYC and Mullaney showed bucketloads more than Tedesco has so far. That’s not to say Tedesco isn’t better, or isn’t going to be, but going by fair comparisons, you just cannot suggest Tedesco is better than Mullaney.
Respectfully disagree. At the same age Tedesco is ahead of Mullaney by lengths, and physically he will get bigger which has been just one of Mullaney’s problems, not to mention his support play is arguably better than Mullaney’s, as well his defence.
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It must be hard & theres a big step from NYC to First grade, & a lot of these young guys have people telling them how good they are, from Managers & friends & relatives. Things change in the off season & some of these guys just dont cope.
People forget a few short years ago this grade was jersy flegg and hardly anyone talked about players in this grade like we are now
Its still flegg with a new flash name, but way more hype pressure and focus on them -
Oh my God! Where do you come up with this garbage? Jake Mullaney was absolutely untouchable in NYC! He’d rank in the top 5 NYC players of all time imo. James Tedesco has played half a season of NYC and he was alright. One game he was awesome, the rest he was okay. Mullaney absolutely slayed NYC. He went on to drown in the State Cup and never get a shot at first grade (yet) but Tedesco hasn’t even played a State Cup match. The only level they’ve both played at was NYC and Mullaney showed bucketloads more than Tedesco has so far. That’s not to say Tedesco isn’t better, or isn’t going to be, but going by fair comparisons, you just cannot suggest Tedesco is better than Mullaney.
Respectfully disagree. At the same age Tedesco is ahead of Mullaney by lengths, and physically he will get bigger which has been just one of Mullaney’s problems, not to mention his support play is arguably better than Mullaney’s, as well his defence.
Respectfully disagree. Mullaney was brilliant in attack and was an outstanding goalkicker. He held the NYC point scoring record and was overtaken only this year.
Was never given a chance by Sheens, for whatever reason. Far better prospect at fullback than Moltzen and may go ok at Parra.
As for Tedesco, looks to have the goods. His future depends on the erratic Sheens. I believe that he has the makings of a really great first grade fullback. As with Grant, let us wait and see.
