Now in his second pre-season with the Club, Zane Tetevano joined us for a Q&A to discuss the lessons he's learned so far, his mind state and future plans.
Coming into your second pre-season, how has it gone for you so far?
It’s been real good!
I’ve always looked forward to coming back to pre-season.
I’m always on the go, so for me it’s like coming back into your element.
It’s my element, my surroundings, it’s what I know.
I looked after myself in the off-season so I came back feeling pretty fit cause I was looking forward to coming back.
What’s the difference between your second pre-season at the Club and your first?
Last year was a little bit different.
I think you’re a lot more on your toes, trying to find your feet again.
Each day that went by was just trying to find that confidence again, on field and off field.
This year, we’ve lost some players and there’s a bit more of a “we need to step things up” feeling in the group.
For me, this year has been about getting better as a player and a person.
It’s my element, my surroundings, it’s what I know.
Zane Tetevano on training
Have you been offering your advice to some of those guys going through their first NRL pre-season?
Yeah!
I felt I needed a little bit of help last year, and I’ve been able to help those younger fellas the same way I was helped when I was going through that pre-season.
It’s cool, cause you’re trying to pass some of that knowledge down while still gaining plenty of knowledge yourself.
It’s like a web, and it all connects that way.
Does it feel tougher this year?
Nah, I’m excited and think I’ve grown a lot more confident.
Lots going on behind the scenes, does that get felt in the squad?
At this time of year everyone’s just trying to find their rhythm.
I’m sure that it plays on the back of some minds, the players that have come and left, but you’ve just got to work around it.
You can’t really talk about it too much.
What’s your plan over the break?
Well, in the off season I had a good break.
Went over to Bali, had my kids over and spent all my time trying to make sure they had a great holiday.
I had surgery, went to work for a couple of weeks, so now I kinda just want to chill.
My break was pretty constant, so this time I want things to flow and just relax.
It’s my third Christmas without my Dad, so me and my brothers usually catch up and reflect on a bit of our journey.
Hopefully will get around to some camping aswell!
Maybe in Umina or something.
Are you expecting things to heat up when you return in January?
For sure.
When things start heating up, that’s when you know things are heading in the right direction.
