Massages, ice-baths and stretches. It's what keeps James Tedesco on the field and makes him the best-value fullback in the NRL. The 29-year-old's worth is best exemplified by the fact only Parramatta's Clint Gutherson has played more games than him in the past three seasons as a big-earning No.1. While Tedesco has managed 64 NRL games since the start of 2020 plus State of Origins, Dylan Edwards has played 57, Kalyn Ponga 48, Ryan Papenhuyzen 47 and Tom Trbojevic only 32. "It's a full-time thing," Tedesco told. "After training I get massages, two times a week for a couple of hours. "It's massages, it's stretching and other stuff for recovery like ice baths. "I've been doing that since probably 2015. It's just become a part of my routine and it's helped me a lot." "There are a lot of guys going through injuries in that position. It's tough. "The way fullbacks play these days, we're in every play, we're in collisions. "I know now I've been really good with my body but I missed a lot of games through the start of my career with that. "You can't just expect to train and play and your body's going to be right. "It takes such a hammering for 80 minutes and in and around training. You've got to look after it." "It takes a lot of devastation and disappointment to go through, but I definitely learnt a lot about the NRL grind and my body as well during that time. "There are probably some young guys learning that as well. "Paps messaged me, we had the same injury with the kneecap. He was asking me for tips that helped me that could help him. "Tommy too. It's important to pass that on."
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