One year on from being dropped from the Test side, Tedesco was rewarded for his superb 2025 season with his second Dally M Medal on Wednesday night.
That top gong came just 36 hours after he'd informed Australian selectors he would not be available for the Ashes, after being told he was set to earn a recall.
Tedesco's withdrawal has left selectors with a decision to make, and it is entirely possible they could take two fullbacks on the tour of England.
With Dylan Edwards as the incumbent fullback, Walsh is also considered likely to be in the squad while his grand-final rival Ryan Papenhuyzen is another option.
But Tedesco said Walsh deserved the chance to win the jersey, after an electrifying few months took Brisbane to Sunday's decider.
"Walsh has probably been the best fullback in the comp the last eight weeks, he has been unbelievable,". Tedesco told AAP when asked who should take the jersey.
"Dyl has had a good year as well, he is the incumbent.
"Reece wouldn't be out of place I don't think. He has proved it with the big game on the weekend.
"He came up with the big play and he has done it consistently for the past eight weeks to put his team in the position. You have to give him credit."
Tedesco said it had not been easy to tell ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys he would not go on the Ashes tour, and he's made it clear he wants to be considered for the World Cup next year.
The 32-year-old is due to be best man at his brother's wedding in coming weeks, and is also set for stem-cell injections into his knee that will keep him off his legs for up to six weeks.
The Dally M winner said the potential of the Ashes series had barely been on his mind all year after being dropped last season, and he had therefore planned as if he wasn't going.
"If I was the incumbent fullback and captain, I would have planned for that," Tedesco said.
"The whole year I wasn't even thinking about it at all. I wasn't picked last year, I didn't play Origin. It wasn't really on my radar at all.
"Even after the season finished I hadn't heard anything for a couple of weeks until I rang Peter myself and asked the question.
"It was nice to hear I was going to be picked. Playing for Australia is the highest honour.
"But at the end of the day I am content with not going and the commitments I have here. To be the best man at my brother's wedding is important.
"I know my body needs the rest, I know I need the stem cells to have another big year next year -- and that is the best for me."
12°C