• Video
• Image

NRL: Luke Brooks has set up an easy try for Tim Simona with one of the passes of his career, a magical little flick pass that set his teammate up against the storm at AAMI Park.

Luke Brooks set up Tigers teammate Tim Simona with a brilliant flick pass.

JAMES Tedesco should have a NSW Origin jersey.

This, truly, is the one given with Wests Tigers.

But as for finding another?

Good luck.

For after letting in 26 unanswered points at AAMI Park yesterday, the unpredictable Tigers then went within a shandy of equalling the greatest comeback in NRL history.

And, no, they never got there. Melbourne eventually squeaked home 29-20.

But what a game. And as our intro suggests, it was a fightback led by Tedesco.

James Tedesco on the charge for the Tigers against the Storm.Source:AAP

Indeed, apart from scoring the Tigers’ opening try of the second half, this gifted No. 1 also stopped a runaway Marika Koroibete from doing the same, twice, while also again coming within a bee’s appendage of the stripe as many times again himself. So how long until Teddy makes that Blues debut?

Remember, that were it not for a shoulder injury, this 23-year-old flyer would already be part of what is now another rebuild for NSW coach Laurie Daley.

“He’d done enough to warrant an Origin call-up a few weeks ago,” Tigers coach Jason Taylor said.

“He wasn’t in Origin 1 because he was injured and he should’ve been in Origin 2 and he should be in Origin 3. I think it’s pretty simple. It’s clear to see. I don’t understand why he’s not there and he should be there for game three.”

Tedesco has heard all the hype before.

“I try and do my best every week and if they think that’s good enough for a spot, I will take it with both hands,” he said.

The the key question remains: So how do we outscore Queensland? Enter Tedesco.

And for proof, speak with those joint-venture staffers who, last year, worked out that for every five tries the ­Tigers scored, their fullback was involved in four. If not forcing the ball himself, then providing the key play that got it there.

James Tedesco should be selected for Origin 3, says Jason Taylor.Source:Getty Images

OK, so his average wasn’t quite so high on Sunday. But still, it was through his sublime skills that the Tigers’ fightback began.

He was there when attacking the tryline only three minutes after the break, and down by 26 points, Tedesco found himself with ball in hand and zero options.

At least until he moved.

Skipping right, the fullback’s unpredictable feet then twice put on the slightest of in and aways before a dummy wide got him on the outside of Tohu Harris … and through.

And from there the small band of travelling Tigers fans could only hang on and hope.

They watched, mouths agape, as halfback Luke Brooks cut through with 52 minutes gone. Then six minutes later the Tigers’ No. 7 found teammate Tim Simona — this time with the type of no-look, left-handed flick on which NRL ad campaigns are made. Game on.

And when winger Dave Nofoaluma crossed, thanks largely to a beautiful long ball from five-eighth Mitchell Moses, suddenly the visitors were back within six with 15 minutes to play.

Luke Brooks set up Tigers teammate Tim Simona with a brilliant flick pass.Source:Getty Images

Which still wasn’t enough to rewrite records.

Melbourne regained their clinical edge and, as is so often the case, iced the game through Cooper Cronk.

All of which left the Tigers ruing a woeful first half riddled with mistakes.

Like Elijah Taylor, acting as a makeshift hooker with Robbie Farah (concussion) sidelined, twice throwing forward passes to Brooks. Or Brooks booting a kick-off out on the full.

And rising star Moses will be a long time forgetting that wayward pass which, after going behind Tedesco, then bounced into the arms of a flying Koroibete.

From there, the former Tigers winger raced away until Tedesco brought him down.

But still, the Stormers crossed that same set.

“It was frustrating,’’ Tigers skipper Aaron Woods said.

“We only played one half of footy today.’’