James Tedesco attempts to give Curtis Sironen the slip on Saturday.Credit:Getty
There were the three tries he scored himself and the two he had a hand in,but that only told part of the story. The Roosters fullback put on a masterclass,while the Sea Eagles face the harsh reality of life without their own superstar No.1.
Is there anything Tedesco can’t do?
The answer,surprisingly,is yes. For the first time in his career,the former Tiger was given two shots at goal. Both sailed wide of the uprights and he was hooked from the duties. They were his only blemishes.
Tedesco’s first touch set the tone. On a ground where AFL is the dominant football code,he rose above Reuben Garrick and came down with a Luke Keary bomb for the opening try. The game was just three minutes old.
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The NSW and Australian custodian didn’t have to wait long to secure his brace,a solo effort that showcased both his left- and right-foot steps. The game was over as a contest well before he backed up for his third.
These were the highlight plays,but there were other valuable contributions that warrant mention. Like when Daly Cherry-Evans put in an awkward grubber kick into the Roosters in-goal,the sort that gives opposition fullbacks nightmares. Instead of going for the safe play and grounding the ball,he let it roll over the dead-ball line. What would have been a line drop-out became a seven-tackle set.