NRL 2021: Ex-Tigers reunite in NSW Blues camp, Michael Maguire’s future at Wests

Wests lost both of them in the space of two weeks. Now more than four years after their Tigers exit, James Tedesco and Mitch Moses have reunited.

These are the painful documents that will antagonise and haunt long-suffering Wests Tigers fans.

The Sunday Telegraph trawled back more than six years to locate the three gut-wrenching media statements released by Wests Tigers revealing the club had lost James Tedesco, Mitch Moses and Josh Addo-Carr to rival clubs.

Wests Tigers’ worst nightmare has now become a godsend for the NSW Blues with the three backline stars reunited at State of Origin level.

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How the Tigers lost James Tedesco, Mitch Moses and Josh Addo-Carr

On May 4, 2017, the club issued a statement which read: “Wests Tigers can confirm that James Tedesco will be departing the club at the end of the 2017 season.

“Tedesco’s management have informed Wests Tigers that he will be continuing his playing career at another NRL club.”

Just 12 days later, on May 16, Wests Tigers were forced to release this statement: “Wests Tigers have today released Mitchell Moses from the remainder of his playing contract, effective immediately. Mitchell has played 67 NRL games for Wests Tigers since making his debut in 2014. Wests Tigers thank Mitchell for his contribution while at the club and wish him well in the future.”

And completing the trifecta, on June 6, 2016, the club stated: “Wests Tigers can confirm Joshua Addo-Carr will leave the club at the end of the 2016 NRL season.”

More than four years after leaving Wests, Mitchell Moses and James Tedesco have reunited in NSW camp. Picture: Grant Trouville.

In camp this week with NSW, Tedesco, Moses and Addo-Carr spoke about the nine games they all played together back in 2016 and why each player subsequently quit the club.

While grateful at being given an initial chance by Wests Tigers, the three players admit moving has provided them with wonderful success, culminating in selection for Wednesday night’s State of Origin game in Newcastle.

Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) and Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm) have since claimed premierships with Moses helping Parramatta to play regular finals football.

“We were speaking about this in the team room the other day - to have the little Tigers gang back is pretty special,” Addo-Carr said.

“It’s pretty crazy. I debuted (round seven, 2016) with Mitch and Teddy in the side. I played nine games for the Tigers but I wasn’t a consistent first grade player back then.

“I haven’t played with Mitch for five or six years now. To play with each other on the big stage is really special.

“I will always cherish the Tigers giving me that start. I was a Tiger supporter when I was a kid and almost every birthday, my wish was to play for the Tigers. I was thankful to do that.

“But life is strange and I definitely don’t regret moving down to Melbourne. I think I’ve learned how to play rugby league at Melbourne. The Storm teaches you, it’s just in their DNA. They are such good people down there.”

Josh Addo-Carr insists he has no regrets over his Tigers exit. Picture: Getty Images.

Tedesco spoke about his two mates and why he felt a need to leave Concord.

“We all came through the Tigers system together, a lot of good players come through together, but we all went our separate ways,” Tedesco said.

“Me and Mitch have always been best mates. We lived together at the Tigers, we have always been close. I am pumped we are all back together, especially for Mitch on debut. It’s exciting.

“Mitch was Balmain and I was Wests but we came through together into first grade in 2012. ‘Fox’ (Addo-Carr) came around 2016.

“’Fox’ was only a young fella who came from Cronulla, I think. He was raw back then but lightning fast. He went to the Storm and was really successful.

“We weren’t really successful at the Tigers. I think we had five different coaches in six years. I was lucky to get an opportunity at the Roosters and they were a really successful club.”

Moses added: “It’s pretty crazy. I said to ‘Fox’ the other that we’re back together and it’s good to be back playing with Teddy as well.

“We all played a couple of games together in first grade so it’s good to link with them again, it’s pretty exciting. I loved my time at the Tigers but moving to Parramatta – and to learn as much as I have under Brad (Arthur, Eels coach) – has been massive for me.”

IT’S ON YOU: TIGERS’ TIMELINE TO SAVE MAGUIRE

—David Riccio

The Wests Tigers players have six games to determine the fate of their coach Michael Maguire.
A loss to the 15th-placed Broncos in Brisbane next Sunday could dramatically reduce that timeline.
The 14th-placed Wests Tigers have managed five wins so far in 2021. It is currently their worst season on record.
With eight games remaining in the regular season, the Tigers players need to decide if they want to save their coach.

The Wests Tigers need to find two wins in order to level with the club’s worst performing years, which is seven victories in 2002, 2003, 2013, 2017 and last year.

It’s hardly worth cheering about.

Wests Tigers are currently in the middle of their worst season on record. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Tigers’ five wins so far have been accrued against the Knights (ninth) and Dragons (seventh), both twice, and against a State of Origin-depleted Panthers (second).
Maguire was signed — and re-signed again last December — in the belief that the no-nonsense coach would instil steel into a club that is devoid of an identity.
There are few people in the game who can agree on what the Wests Tigers stand for as a club.
The other question being asked is: are the players playing for their coach?

The Tigers are averaging their most points-conceded per-game since forming as a joint-venture in 2000.
In fairness, the hyperactive rule changes which have been implemented over the past two seasons have skewed the game towards attack over defence.
Over the next six weeks, the Tigers face the Broncos (away), Sea Eagles (away), Warriors (home), Bulldogs (away), Cowboys (away), Sharks (away).
Beating the Broncos is huge for Maguire.
But even that still may not be enough for the steadfast mentor to see out his current contract that isn‘t due to expire until the end of 2023.

Michael Maguire faces a huge battle to turn the Tigers’ fortunes around. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Aside from on-field performance, the club is being held back by an inability to recruit the game‘s best talent on the open market.

It’s unfair to pin every player signing on Maguire — but very few players sign because they want to train, learn and play under a particular CEO or board.

The stark reality is, the Tigers in many cases, aren’t even getting to the negotiation table.

For example, two of the longest-serving player agents in the NRL haven‘t heard from the Wests Tigers in months.
The veteran deal-makers don’t have a single player on the Tigers current roster.
Working separately, the two agents boast a combined 45 years worth of experience in cutting deals for some of the biggest players in the game.

They have sent their players to broken clubs before.
In the last six months alone, they have inked multimillion-dollar deals at other clubs — which are just as low as the Tigers on the ladder — for their client list that includes past and present Test and State of Origin halves, forwards and outside backs.
That’s hugely concerning if you’re a Tigers supporter.

Latrell Mitchell knocked back an offer to join Wests Tigers. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Latrell Mitchell, who was offered $4.4 million from the Tigers, took $600,000 less to sign with South Sydney.
Josh Addo-Carr signed a heads of agreement to join the Tigers — then pulled out to join wooden-spoon favourites the Bulldogs.
The Tigers have been told by one-and-all to sign Storm forward and NSW vice-captain Dale Finucane.
On the surface, it’s a fair and obvious call.
But what the fans don’t understand is that the Tigers may as well be linked to Michael Jordan. They are being used up.

The Tigers would need to offer a four-year deal and pay more than $700,000 per-season to even get a meeting with 30-year-old Finucane.

Meanwhile, other clubs are being told they can get Finucane for $550,000 per-season and they wouldn’t have to offer him four years.

Maguire aptly described the effort by the Tigers to lose 38-22 against South Sydney last weekend as “garbage”.
The last week has sparked nervous conversations and questions at Concord.

Tim Sheens is returning to the Tigers.

These are the same conversations former premiership-winner Tim Sheens will be asked to answer when he arrives at the end of this month.
Is it the playing roster, is it the coach, or is it both?
Sheens will return to the Tigers, for the first time since departing as head coach in September, 2012.

He is back, appointed to a role — and this is important — that has never existed before.
His title is head of football performance, but from a success-starved Tigers fan point of view, Sheens could be asked to sell hot dogs on Mary Street, for all they care.
The appointment of ‘Tiger Tim’ is defining for Maguire, who understandably has asked his tight-knit crew of staff why, given his own resume of success, the club needs Sheens looking under the bonnet.

More immediately though, the Tigers play the Broncos next Sunday.

Winning is everything.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Ex-Tigers reunite in NSW Blues camp, Michael Maguire’s future at Wests