The Curious Case of James Tedesco, his All Time Ranking and What the World Cup Means for His Legacy.
Why does James Tedesco not seem to be in the conversation with other great fullbacks? Why the G.O.A.T debate is great and what would World Cup Glory mean for his legacy?
It’s hard to move on from the legends of your day. Whether it’s Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, Tom Brady, Wally Lewis or Andrew Johns, it’s almost impossible to imagine that anyone is ever going to surpass the talent and accomplishments of the greatest player you watched from the age of 10 to 30.
Yet, the possibility of the latest youngster reaching such heights is constantly thrown into the air.
In less than a week, LeBron James will play the first game of his 20th NBA season. Before he was drafted, was touted as ‘The Chosen One’ and proclaimed as the future greatest player to ever step onto the court.
Whether or not you look at him and what he’s accomplished two decades later and support such statements, it’s widely believed that he's at least one of the five players to ever play basketball
Quite the success. Yet even he couldn’t achieve the unattainable.
The new kid on the block, the French phenom, Victor Wembanyama is the latest youngster to gain heavy praise. Already, almost an entire year before he will enter the 2023 NBA Draft, being compared to the greats of the game.
The ability to be excited to have a new possible great player, to rally for them and to side with them in the GOAT debate is a great part of being a sports fan.
Some people love Johns, Queenslanders can’t see past anyone other than Lewis and Darren Lockyer. Meanwhile, your Dad chimes in with grumblings about players like Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny.
The upside to this cycle is the fun debate and heavy stream of conversation it provides around the dinner table and online. The downside is that almost every spectacular play or special moment seems to be quickly followed by an ‘Is X player better than y legend?’ article.
It begs the question then why James Tedesco, the 200-game, two premierships, two-time Dally-M Fullback of the Year, Dally-M medalist, and Captain of both his state and country barely gets mentioned as the best fullback ever.
Perhaps it’s because Billy Slater only retired in 2018. That would be understandable. In the face of that argument, Tedesco is rarely put forth as being ahead of Darren Lockyer and players like Jarryd Hayne, Anthony Minichello and Brett Stewart.
All great fullbacks in their own right, it doesn’t take too much brainpower to create a strong case for why James Tedesco ranks above them.
I mean, off the back of back-to-back premierships, which James Tedesco achieved less than five years ago, Nathan Cleary is already being thrown into conversations with Andrew Johns’ and Jonathon Thurston.
Yet Tedesco continues to perform as one of the best players on-field in every game he plays and is mostly taken for granted.
Why does James Tedesco not get mentioned as he should, and why does he deserve to be mentioned?
It takes more than a list of accolades to make your claim as the best player and every other fullback he’s competing with has more than a competitive list. Let’s clearly and quickly get it out of the way with a comparison between him and the widely regarded best fullback, Billy Slater.
Look at me, being fair.
Just looking at those stats, there isn’t much of an argument.
Forget about international Rugby League being almost non-existent since Tedesco’s ascension to the throne, and don’t bother mentioning The Dally M’s inconsistency.
Sure, Tedesco is only 30 and looks like he’ll play at an MVP level for at least another three years. But as of now, Slater had the better career.
Before we get too carried away praising Silly Billy, It’s important to remember what the beginning of Tedesco’s career looked like, in stark contrast to Slater.
Making his debut in 2012, Tedesco played only thirty minutes before tearing his ACL; out for the season. That wasn’t close to his only significant injury.
During his six seasons with the Wests Tigers from 2012-2017, if healthy, Tedesco could have played a total of 144 games. When he arrived at the Roosters in 2018 he’d played only 90.
In contrast, Billy Slater didn’t miss significant time until his 13th season, tallying 131 games in his first six seasons.
So, while the early health problems for Tedesco should be taken into account, durability is a part of a legacy. Playing at a high level for longer is almost the biggest accomplishment a player can have. Hundreds of players have had one good game or season. Not many can be elite for a decade.
In the five seasons since 2018, Tedesco has barely missed a game, playing in 114 matches.
Does any of this matter?
I stated before that Slater has a better career on paper. It’s undeniable. He probably still will by the time Teddy retires, too. How much does that matter and does it change anything even if Tedesco’s paper looked better?
Other than Championships rings on his fingers, LeBron James is going to surpass Michael Jordan in almost every imaginable category. Do you know what Jordan has over him?
Narrative.
Jordan has more than a decade worth of vanquished opponents who now sit back talking about how unbeatable he was. Partly, because it’s true.
Partly, because his being unbeatable makes their defeat less agonising.
Jordan has nearly 50 years of kids rooms plastered with posters of him and media references to his passion, hunger and ability to deliver in the clutch.
Hell, Larry Bird said he was playing against “God disguised as Michael Jordan” after his Boston Celtics bested him in a two-overtime Playoff thriller. No one can match that.
Even if Lebron did somehow win two more rings, do you think all of a sudden Jordan lovers will jump ship or admit that he’s better? Is Skip Bayless going to change his tune?
Nevertheless, it’s all about the debate, right? The fact is, James Tedesco is one of the greatest fullbacks to ever play the game.
On Sunday the 16th of October, 2022, he can add a huge string to his bow as he leads the Kangaroos out as captain of his country with hopes to raise the 2021 Rugby league World Cup.
What would winning the 2021 World Cup mean for James Tedesco’s Legacy?
Australia has won 11 Rugby League World Cup Trophies. Only 9 men have earned the right, through their talent and standing in the game, to captain their nation to those victories.
Cameron Smith (2017, 2013), Brad Fittler (2000, 1995), Mal Meninga (1989-92), Wally Lewis (1985-88), Arthur Beetson (1977), Graeme Langlands (1975), Ron Coote (1970), Johnny Raper (1968) and Dick Poole (1957).
If James Tedesco leads the Kangaroos to glory against this New Zealand Kiwis side and Samoa, Tonga or England, in England, it would be an accomplishment that rivals almost any other.
Maybe he’ll never win another premiership. He might not win another Dally M award or Fullback of the Year. Hell, he might not win another State of Origin match and Tom Trbojevic could be the fullback for the Kangaroos in a year.
As much as I doubt everything I just said will happen; it’s possible. If that’s the case, there are a few inarguable accolades fans could point to. Leading his nation to a World Cup Victory through one of the strongest Kiwi sides we’ve seen would be
I mean, if he matched Slater in every stat and accolade it would just be too much. It would take away the fun. If LeBron had 8 rings as well as everything he had already achieved, it would be no debate. Where's the fun in that?
It’s better when things are unclear. I mean I’ve stated multiple times that Slater is commonly referred to as the best but, looking at Lockyer’s stats…
It would take away the fun if it was obvious.
Brady is unrivalled as the best quarterback to ever play, but there is the thin threat of Patrick Mahomes. Jordan dominated his era and won six rings, but Lebron has done this, Kobe has done that and Bill Russell won 11 championships. Eleven.
Tedesco will probably never match Slater in his list of awards or maybe even games played (knock on wood). For the sake of debate, it’s probably better if he doesn’t. Back-to-back premierships, captaining both his state and country, not to mention his output on the field…
One thing is certain. If Tedesco leads the Kangaroos to World Cup glory, his legacy gets a helluva lot stronger.