James Tedesco has broken a historic tie with Johnathan Thurston, winning the NRL Players’ Champion award for the fourth time. Tedesco’s 2025 season was an extraordinary outlier. He’s now in his 14th NRL season, having debuted with the Wests Tigers in 2012. Most impressive of all, his 32-year-old body proved remarkably adaptable and durable throughout the entire season. This performance helped cement his place among the elite players in the league.
Since Tedesco had a career year in 2025. He created 22 tries and carried a baby Sydney Roosters facet to the finals. Despite this tremendous success, a lot of people wrote him off early this season. Still, he bounced back in epic fashion, showing that he is a big-time player. His peers voted him the NRL’s best player of 2025, solidifying his position as a frontrunner for Wednesday night’s Dally M Medal.
A Season for the Ages
2025 could turn out to be Tedesco’s most impressive season to-date! It creates thrilling parallels to his phenomenal 2019 season in which he won just about every award known to humankind. Most importantly, though, he truly dominated like no other Impact player — leading the NRL in tackle busts, runs and running metres. His leadership and playmaking abilities became the vital gears that guided the Roosters through a difficult year, eventually carrying them into the finals.
How dedicated Tedesco is to the game shows in his fearlessness among contact and all around mentality. His performance has earned him respect from fans and players alike, making him a pivotal figure in Australian rugby league.
A Legacy Alongside Thurston
With this fourth Players’ Champion title, Tedesco joins the ranks of Johnathan Thurston, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NRL history. Clint Newton, CEO of the Rugby League Players Association, acknowledged Tedesco’s impressive feat, stating, “For James to be on a par with Johnathan Thurston on four Players’ Champion awards is an extraordinary achievement.”
Newton further emphasized Tedesco’s qualities that mirror those of Thurston: “While JT played a different position, they share the same fearlessness in contact, running at defensive lines, and an unwavering 80-minute mentality.” These qualities have earned each player not only personal recognition, but helped lead their teams to gold medals during their careers.
Recognition Among Peers
Besides his most recent award, Tedesco had captured the Players’ Champion title in 2017, 2019 and 2022. His consistent excellence and leadership on the field are highlighted by Newton’s comments: “Few players can lead and play like James, within structure, but be a dangerous and instinctive eyes-up footballer.”
Tedesco’s ability to balance structured play with instinctive football has set him apart as a player who can adapt to any situation on the field. As he continues to lead the Roosters and inspire future generations of players, Tedesco’s legacy within the NRL remains firmly established.
