BRISBANE – James Tedesco, the Roosters’ fullback with a knack for breaking hearts, tore through his former junior club, the Redcliffe Dolphins, in a 40-6 rout on May 2, 2025, at Suncorp Stadium. The Sydney captain, who cut his teeth in Redcliffe’s junior ranks, didn’t just play—he unleashed an avalanche, piling on 208 run meters, two try assists, two linebreaks, and 10 tackle breaks in a performance that left the Dolphins’ defense gasping.
Tedesco, 32, grew up in Redcliffe’s rugby league heartland, playing for the Dolphins’ juniors before heading south to chase NRL glory. On Friday night, he came back to haunt them. His first try assist came early, a slick cut-out pass in the 12th minute that sent Daniel Tupou over the line. By the 25th, he’d danced through a gap, offloading to Joey Manu for another. The Dolphins, still finding their feet in their third NRL season, had no answer. Tedesco’s footwork and vision carved them open, his every touch a reminder of the kid they once nurtured.
The Roosters’ dominance wasn’t just Tedesco. Luke Keary’s pinpoint kicking and Angus Crichton’s brutal carries added to the carnage, with the visitors racking up seven tries. The Dolphins’ lone bright spot was a 60th-minute try to Jake Averillo, but by then, the game was long gone. Coach Wayne Bennett, usually a master of miracles, could only watch as his side crumbled under Tedesco’s onslaught.
Official stats from the NRL confirm Tedesco’s numbers: 208 meters from 22 runs, 10 tackle breaks, and four linebreak involvements. The Roosters’ possession rate hit 58%, and their 89% completion rate suffocated any Dolphins comeback. Redcliffe’s discipline faltered too—six penalties conceded to Sydney’s three, per the match report.
Tedesco’s heroics come at a crucial time. With State of Origin looming, his display screams for a NSW recall after being overlooked last year. The Dolphins, meanwhile, limp to a 3-6 record, their finals hopes fading fast. For Tedesco, it was a homecoming laced with vengeance. For Redcliffe, it was a night to forget.