Tetevano gifted premiership ring by Robinson but future still clouded

Zane Tetevano has been gifted Trent Robinson's 2019 premiership ring by the Roosters coach in what is increasingly likely to be his last year with the club.

Tetevano was the unlucky casualty of Jake Friend's comeback from injury against the Raiders, the interchange prop watching his teammates win back-to-back titles as 18th man on Sunday night.

Robinson's entire squad and club staff returned to the ANZ Stadium turf well past midnight after their historic triumph, with Tetevano called out in front of the group before 80,000 empty seats to receive Robinson’s ring.

Tetevano didn't miss a game en route to last year's title and only sat out two matches before Sunday's grand final, but remains the only regular Roosters first-grader without a contract for 2020.

The Tricolours have their roster for next season all-but locked in, and with several of their biggest names coming off-contract, are resigned to Tetevano being able to earn a bigger wage elsewhere.

The 28-year-old’s preference is to stay at Bondi.

"I'll do whatever I've got to do," Tetevano said after fulltime.

"I'm keen for a break and I'll keep training in the off-season and working on my craft so when I come back I'm ready to rock'n'roll.

"It's a great club and Robbo is the best coach in the world, but I've got to work hard. I'm looking forward to whatever happens next year."

Tetevano has played 73 matches for the club since returning to the top flight in 2017 after serious domestic violence charges threatened his career.

Tetevano's daughter flew in for the game from New Zealand to join the rest of his family in the stands, but the 28-year-old had no qualms about sitting out for Friend on grand final night.

"I'm so stoked. The boys played well and it was definitely a tough game," Tetevano said.

"It was nerve-racking watching, but I can't be happier. It was scary. It was a tough game, a street fight. There was a lot of live ball footy and the boys turned up well.

"It was about making sure everyone was fit and healthy and ready to play. It was at training and we were just making sure Jakey was ready to play and he was ready to play tonight. As you saw he played over 30 minutes and he delivered."

Fellow prop Lindsay Collins was in the same unenviable position as Tetevano last year, receiving a premiership ring from Robinson when Cooper Cronk's successful bid to play through injury cost him a grand final start.