IT’S 4.15am and Zane Tetevano is behind the wheel.

He’s already eaten breakfast and packed his bag for the day.

The sun hasn’t risen, the road is quiet and the drive is long.

At this time of the day it’s a one hour and 25 minute trip door to door to get to training.

Round 20

As he travels the Pacific Highway, his only company is the sound of his tyres on the asphalt. It’s eerily quiet but Tetevano finds it calming.

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It’s how he prepares for the day.

While the Roosters are known as the Bondi boys and latte crew, Tetevano isn’t interested in the lavish lifestyle.

That’s why he’s remained on the Central Coast despite signing a two-year NRL contract late last year.

Zane Tetevano of the Roosters looks on. Source: AAP

“A lot of people ask ‘how do you have the motivation to drive to training?’ but when you have a team everyone wants to play with, it’s pretty easy,” Tetevano told foxsports.com.au.

“I know everyone is going to turn up to train with the right attitude. That’s what motivates me.

“I enjoy the coast. I’d rather just stay there. We’re pretty content there and it’s a good place to raise our children. We live in Terrigal which is a good spot.”

At 26, Tetevano has seen and been through it all.

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A product of New Zealand, the forward moved to Australia at a young age where he climbed up the ranks at Newcastle.

He made his first grade debut in 2011 at the age of 21 and extended his deal. His career was on the rise.

That was until he was sacked in 2014 for an off-field incident where he damaged a taxi.

He’d later sign with Manly before having his contract torn up due to charges relating to domestic violence.

After that he quit league.

Zane Tetevano of the Roosters is tackled. Source: Getty Images

He spent nine months behind bars and was ordered to work 60 hours a week. That’s where Tetevano changed his life.

He was building steel frames on building sites, a job he intends to go back to while his teammates soak up the sun in Bali during the off-season.

The busier, the better.

“It’s been a pretty honest journey,” he said.

“I’ve always prepped every week not knowing what would happen so I go week by week. I’ve played some football and I keep trying to improve and get better.

“I’m trying not to be complacent and improve. I’m always trying to get better.”

Tetevano knows the meaning of hard work. He also knows how fortunate he is to have this opportunity.

That’s why you’d never hear him complain about the return trip from training.

It can take him over two hours to get back home. Peak hour traffic is the worst but you won’t see him killing time at a cafe or a teammate’s house.

He doesn’t stay in Sydney any longer than he has to.

Zane Tetevano playing for Wyong last year. Source: News Corp Australia

“There’s a lot of noise here (at the Roosters),” he said.

“Training and a lot of details but when I’m driving home, it’s peace and quiet.

“I recap on how my day went and what I can do to improve. How many balls did I drop today? I think about how I went. I sit there and go over my roles and get home and become dad and partner.”

The work ethic he discovered on the building sites is something which has followed him back to the NRL.

The physical demands of rugby league are easy but it’s between the ears that Tetevano believes matters most.

That’s why the 6am starts during the pre-season never bothered him.

This week Tetevano was awake at 5am and in the car by 6am for a 9am start.

Zane Tetevano of the Roosters looks on. Source: AAP

He pulls into the club’s Allianz Stadium base and starts stretching.

The long car rides tighten his hips and lower back but it’s a small price to pay.

“I feel like I’ve found peace within myself,” he said.

“I feel like I’m ready to go another level.

“I’ve played 50 games and I’m ready to make my next 50 my best 50. I’m ready to start smashing some goals.”

One of those goals is playing in a grand final.

He’s one win away from that. Grand final week calls for some early starts.

The grand final breakfast has an early call time but Tetevano will spend the night on the coast. He doesn’t mind the early starts.