Monday Buzz: James Tedesco takes holiday with Sydney Roosters’ season on the line

As his teammates unsuccessfully fought to save their season, Roosters captain James Tedesco had the weekend away in Byron Bay with his wife, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

James Tedesco took a holiday as the Roosters hit freefall.

NSW captain James Tedesco was rested over the weekend like a lot of fatigued State of Origin players.

It’s understandable in that he is 30 years of age and his body doesn’t recover as quickly as younger footballers.

Plus, he was mentally drained after copping so much criticism.

However it is not acceptable, as club captain, that he failed to turn up to the Sydney Cricket Ground to at least watch the Roosters’ match against Melbourne Storm.

Instead he had the weekend away in Byron Bay with his wife as his teammates unsuccessfully fought to save their season in another loss that has left their finals hopes on life support.

This is a guy who is paid more than $1 million a year.

NSW Origin captain James Tedesco took a holiday to Byron as the Roosters’ season effectively ended.

You look around at other clubs over the weekend.

The Broncos rested their Origin player Pat Carrigan.

Yet he flew from Brisbane to Belmore to support the team and help out coach Kevin Walters.

You look at how Tedesco’s opposing Origin captain Daly Cherry-Evans, at 34, backs up for his Manly Sea Eagles each week and gives it absolutely everything he’s got.

And Roosters and Maroons prop Lindsay Collins.

He had a more-physical Origin series than Tedesco but turned up and played his heart out against Melbourne.

It is a practice at all clubs for injured or rested players to attend home games.

The Roosters’ position is interesting.

A picture from Maria Tedesco's Instagram account from Byron Bay. Picture: Instagram

Maria Tedesco holidayed with husband James in Bryon Bay over the weekend. Picture: Instagram

Tedesco obviously had permission not to be at the game.

However it was a shock to many that he chose not to be there.

This is a story that will not go away.

The Roosters need to start planning for some big changes next year – and the club captaincy should be among the discussions.

HIGHLIGHT

Kalyn Ponga in full flight for the Newcastle Knights in his 100th game against the Wests Tigers. There is not a better sight in rugby league.

LOWLIGHT

Bulldogs skipper Reed Mahoney for trying to ruin a Brisbane Broncos’ try celebration for charity at Belmore on Saturday afternoon by slapping the ball away from Billy Walters. It was an ordinary act.

Billy Walters’ try celebration. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty

LOWLIGHT II

The Roosters have been the biggest disappointments in the NRL, even more so than the Wests Tigers, the Bulldogs and the Dragons, three clubs that were never going to play finals. The Chooks started the season at $5.50 but are now $101.

SHOOSH

An ugly scene in the grandstand at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday when the brother of a Bulldogs director and the son of a former club powerbroker were involved in a heated exchange and had to be separated. It backs up what colleague Brent Read recently wrote about the internal frustrations at the Bulldogs and the likelihood of a boardroom challenge at the next elections.

There was an ugly confrontation at Belmore on Saturday. Picture: Adam Yip

SHOOSH

It’s interesting that Benji Marshall has preferred Aidan Sezer as his future halfback over others who are available. Sezer and Benji are managed by the same agent, Matt Desira.

SPOTTED

The Bulldogs don’t do all their business out of hotels owned by the Laundy family, their major sponsor. We were sent a picture last week of coach Cameron Ciraldo meeting with Rabbitohs star Blake Taaffe at the Coach and Horses Hotel in Randwick. The pub’s owned by Laundy rivals, the Thomas family.

SPOTTED

Player agent David Riolo was a handy fullback for the Illawarra Steelers back in the 90s. Now 51, he’s still an exceptionally good Oztag player and has been chosen in the Australian-50s Tagaroos team for the World Cup.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis, Brent Read and Cooper Cronk to discuss all the biggest issues from Round 20 of the competition.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: James Tedesco takes holiday with Sydney Roosters’ season on the line