‘Thanks for noticing’: James Tedesco back to his best as he battles Jahrome Hughes for Dally M

This year’s Dally M race could come down to the final round, with two superstars of the game locked in an epic battle.

Jahrome Hughes is a favourite for the Dally M Medal. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It was only a few months ago that James Tedesco’s critics urged the Roosters to move him from fullback because they thought he was stifling the attack inside the red zone and Joseph Manu was the best option to wear the No.1 jersey.

But with two rounds to go, the Roosters skipper and Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes appear to be the two clear choices for the Dally M Medal, with Tedesco’s numbers stacking up to his jaw-dropping 2019 season.

Rugby league looks very different to what it did five years ago, and while there was a famous six-again call that season, the set restart rule has changed the way the game is played, but it hasn’t altered Tedesco’s impact on the contest.

When Dally M voting went behind closed doors after 12 rounds, Tedesco was in fifth spot on 23 points, eight behind Dylan Edwards and seven ahead of Hughes, who was suspended early on for running into a referee.

Injuries and State of Origin have wiped out a lot of the leading contenders, with Tedesco and Hughes likely to fight it out for the famous medal just days before they could meet in a grand final.

James Tedesco was involved in everything in the big win over the Dragons. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

While it’s hard to understand how some of the votes are allocated, all good judges would have given the Roosters star six points for his 293 running metres, three try assists and 14 tackle busts against the Dragons in round 18.

He should get six votes for his efforts against Manly and the Tigers, while there’s every chance he gets maximum points from recent wins over Parramatta and the Gold Coast.

Guys like Sam Walker and Angus Crichton will undoubtedly steal points off him, but it’s fair to assume Tedesco would have polled well against the Eels in round 15, the Bulldogs the following week and in almost every game since, with Tedesco looking at a conservative 38 points since round 12.

That would put him on 61 with two games to go, with the raw numbers showing the former NSW captain is having as good a year as 2019 when he won the Dally M, the Brad Fittler and Wally Lewis medals.

He’s already had a career-high 48 try involvements this year, his errors are down and his line-break assists are way up compared with five years ago.

Tedesco could win his second Dally M Medal later this year. Picture: Brett Costello

“Thanks for noticing,” he laughed.

“I’ve actually been feeling really good with my footy this year. It’s hard to go back to every game in those ’18 and ’19 years, but I’ve definitely felt more in control of my game this year than I have in the past few.

“I feel like the execution on our plays in attack and our ability to score points has been unreal. It’s not just me, I feel like everyone around me has done their job really well, and that results in points getting scored.

“I think Justo (Roosters assistant coach Justin Holbrook) has been a breath of fresh air for our attack and has allowed us to play with a bit of freedom.

“I’m just enjoying my footy. Everyone’s playing with confidence and that’s allowing me to play with confidence. It’s been a good year.”

Jahrome Hughes has taken his game to new heights as a playmaker this season. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

While Tedesco has had an incredible year, it’s going to be hard to beat Hughes, who already has a career-high 25 try assists and has led the Storm to the minor premiership despite being without his fellow spine players due to injury and Origin.

He’s had some ridiculous games, including four try assists against the Warriors in round 15 and another three against the Tigers a few weeks later when time appeared to slow down whenever he had the ball.

The Storm halfback will poll very well in games against the Knights, Warriors, Dolphins, Tigers and Panthers but will lose points to guys like Eli Katoa and Harry Grant.

Hughes should pick up at least 44 points since round 12. That would put him on 60, but he’ll miss the chance to add to that after he was rested for the Storm’s trip to Townsville.

It’s a fascinating race between two of the best players in the world who have had their own journeys, with Hughes manufactured into an elite running halfback, while Tedesco has proved his doubters wrong to have the Roosters attack humming.

Tedesco has found the right balance with his football this season. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

He has the chance to pick up more points against Canberra on Sunday – the team he was supposed to join in 2015 – with the energetic fullback defying age, his critics and the loss of his Blues jersey to put in one of his best years in the NRL.

“I don’t think there’s been a point to prove. It’s just that I’ve found a good balance,” he said.

“My home life with my family is in a really good spot. I love being a dad and I’m so happy at home with my wife and daughter, and then I get to come here and work hard, get my extras done and make sure my combinations with the halves, the nine and the edges are on point.

“My body is in a great spot and I’m doing everything I can with recovery to feel fresh. Mentally, I’m doing my stuff to make sure I’m just playing footy. It’s a good balance.”