James Tedesco has admitted a series of off-field dramas involving his NRL club Wests Tigers have left him searching for his best form this year.
The Tigers have rarely been off the back page this year following the sacking of coach Jason Taylor and their failed attempts to re-sign stars Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Mitchell Moses.
But despite Tedesco's season being well below his 2016 standard when he won the Dally M fullback of the year award while making his Origin debut, the fullback has held off challenges from Josh Dugan and Jarryd Hayne to retain the sky blue No.1 jumper.
Tedesco walked into NSW camp in Kingscliff as a man with a weight lifted from his shoulders after earlier this month penning a multi-million dollar four-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.
He said the constant scrutiny and controversy had dented the side's form, including his own.
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"It's been on-going throughout the start of the year and it does have an effect on all of us as a team," Tedesco said.
"So getting up here and getting away from it is going to be good for us as a team."
Tedesco said he was relieved to get into camp with the Blues ahead of next week's Origin series opener in Brisbane which had allowed him to take his mind off the constant trouble which had beset Concord this year.
"I think getting away is good and will freshen us up a bit, me and Woodsy," Tedesco said.
"There have been a lot of dramas off the field. Being up here you can take a lot of confidence back to our team and we'll need to do that to get our season going."
Dugan also walked into Blues camp as a man unhindered after securing his future by turning down an offer from St George Illawarra and signing with Cronulla for 2018 and beyond.
"It's a massive weight off my shoulders and I'm just glad it's sorted," Dugan said.
"I'm here now with the Blues and to do the job for them."
Asked what was the deciding factor which led to him leaving the Dragons and signing a four-year contract with the Sharks, he said: "The extra year."
