Tedesco’s $500,000 Canberra backflip

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FULLBACK James Tedesco has dropped a contract bombshell on the Canberra Raiders by sacrificing nearly $500,000 to backflip and remain with the Wests Tigers beyond this season.

In a 11th hour snubbing just seven days after announcing he was moving to Canberra, the Tigers local junior has opted to renege on a $1.8 million three-year deal with the Green Machine.

TEDESCO TO CANBERRA, PROCTOR BACKFLIPS

Tiger's James Tedesco during Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia

Tedesco personally called Raiders coach Ricky Stuart on Wednesday afternoon to break the news that he would not be joining the team as a replacement for Brisbane-bound fullback Anthony Milford.

Under NRL rules, Tedesco had until round 13 to back away from the Raiders deal.

The Tigers stressed they did not increase their original offer, which was about $150,000 a season less than that from Canberra.

That was of little comfort to the Raiders on Wednesday night

"We are bitterly disappointed at the way it was handled," Raiders chief executive Don Furner said.

"We thought he was the ideal replacement for Anthony Milford.

"It's back to the drawing board."

DECISION LOOMS FOR TEDESCO

James Tedesco during Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia

The decision comes as a crushing blow to the Canberra Raiders recruitment drive, with Tedesco touted as the Green Machine's marquee signing to counter the loss of Milford to the Broncos.

Raiders coach Stuart also had a handshake deal with Melbourne Storm backrower Kevin Proctor also collapse at the last-minute, with the Raiders coach personally flying to Melbourne to have dinner with the Kiwi Test backrower.

Rubbing further salt into the wound, Penrith winger Josh Mansour also rejected the Raiders to remain at the Panthers last Tuesday.

The pain is unlikely to end there for the Raiders, with Canterbury captain and hooker Michael Ennis likely to choose Cronulla over Canberra as his future destination.

James Tedesco arriving from Canberra at Sydney Airport. Source: News Corp Australia

In a statement, Tedesco said: "I firstly need to apologise to the Canberra Raiders for my change of heart. They have been great throughout the whole process.

"That said, I never felt totally comfortable with my decision and after thinking it through I realised it would be too hard to leave my best mates. I understand that the Raiders and their fans will be disappointed and I apologise to all of them for making this decision and I only hope they will understand."

"Obviously it would have been a big decision for James to make," said Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer.

"I am sure he spent many hours talking to his parents and friends about this.

"From Wests Tigers' point of view, we are thrilled that he has decided to stay.

"It is a sign of great faith in what we are building at this club."

Tiger's fullback James Tedesco scores a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Wests Tigers have re-signed a cluster of rising stars and can now add Tedesco to that group.

Others include Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Mitchell Moses and Curtis Sironen.

"Wow, what great news," said Tigers legend Ben Elias.

"James is a great player and I can tell you he never wanted to leave.

"He has great ties with young Brooks, Sironen and Moses.

"Wests Tigers future looks fantastic and that will only be enhanced by having Tedesco at the back.

"It is exciting news for Wests Tigers."

Only a week ago, Tedesco told the Canberra media of his desire to impress at the Raiders.

"Coming down there as a marquee player and someone Ricky expects a lot of, it's definitely going to be a lot of pressure to perform week to week," he said.

Tiger's James Tedesco tackled by South Sydney's John Sutton. Source: News Corp Australia

At the time of signing Tedesco, Furner said: "James is an outstanding young talent who we see as a big signing for the Raiders and we look forward to him joining the club at the beginning of the 2015 season.

"The Raiders have followed James' progress from his days at St Gregory's College Campbelltown and we know being from Camden, James will fit into the lifestyle and culture here in Canberra."

One of the driving reasons behind the backflip was Tedesco's extremely strong bond with Tigers playing roster, particularly stars Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods and captain Robbie Farah, who was in talks with the fullback for the past 48 hours.

James Tedesco arriving from Canberra at Sydney Airport with his manager and Josh Mansour. Source: News Corp Australia

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Tigers fullback reported for training on Tuesday in a visibly distressed state before talking to a number of his fellow Tigers players and the club's coaching staff to convey his confusion.

Tedesco then went for a coffee with Tigers captain Farah to further discuss his desire to turn his back on the Raiders next season before again meeting the Tigers skipper for further crisis talks on Wednesday.

Once Tedesco had made the call to exercise his right to pull out of the three-year Canberra contract, it was decided he needed to personally telephone Stuart to convey his reasoning.

Tedesco then rang Stuart, where the pair discussed the surprise decision.

Did James Tedesco make the right decision in not joining Canberra?

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