He left school at the end of Year 11 when he was 17 without a job to go to because, as he puts it, “I was just focused on footy and little else”.

It’s only now that the hard-working 23-year-old Newcastle Knights lock is making up for lost time.

Yates is in the first semester of a Bachelor of Business degree at Newcastle University, which he juggles part-time as he fights to keep his NRL dream alive.

“It’s pretty good. I’ve been able to balance it pretty well. It’s not over-whelming,” he says of the course.

“I left school after Year 11. I was just so focused on footy, I didn’t really care at that time. Now I’m going back and trying to do a business course so I’ve sort of changed my perspective on that.

“If I had my time over, I would have gone a lot harder at school but being a young fella, you sort of prioritised your footy and have a laugh with your mates.”

Yates is not sure where the degree will take him down the track.

Maybe into sports management or as a small business operator.

“Not sure what I will do with it to be honest – it could be sports management, it could be small business but whatever I’m drawn to, I’ll have it in my back pocket,” he says.

“Maybe, I’ll open a cafe or something like that down the track. I just thought it would be smart to do something rather than playing footy and just sitting at home all day.”

While he will eventually have his degree to fall back on, it hasn’t changed Yate’s footy priorities.

He always trains like there is no tomorrow and despite being among the smallest middle forwards in the NRL, he packs a defensive punch as good as any big-name rival.

But he comes off contract at the end of the season and after playing 19 games in the top grade in 2017, has only featured on four occasions this season.

Only three times from his 23 appearances has he been in the starting forward pack. 

Being limited to four games this season is a reflection of the greater depth in the squad rather than of Yates himself but it has still left him with some work to do if he is to continue to remain in coach Nathan Brown’s future plans.

“Last year, we were probably gifted games in the NRL but with more depth in the squad, it’s a lot more challenging now,”he says.

“I actually think this year, I am a lot better player than I was last year even though I’ve only played the four games compared to the 19 I played last season.

“I feel like I am developing as a player and when I go back and play NSW Cup, I try and be as dominant as I can be to try and force Browny into picking me more or less.

“It is what it is when I go back. I have to cop it on the chin and go back and work hard to make them pick me again.”

Asked about his contract situation, the Wests Rosellas junior says he has left that in the hands of his manager Steve Gillis.

“I’m not sure if anything is happening there to be honest.

“I’ll just do my best and see what comes through at the end of the year. Obviously, I love Newcastle and it’s my home, so if I can stay here it would be great.

“If not, I’m going to have to leave. I don’t want to. I love Newcastle and love the club but footy is still very much the priority so we will see what eventuates.”

As is typically the case in the rugby league, one player’s misfortune can often turn into an opportunity for another.

Co-captain Jamie Buhrer’s knee injury against the Sydney Roosters opened the door for Yates to play game number four against the Melbourne Storm last weekend.

With the Saifiti brothers also on the injured list, that door is likely to remain open for at least a few more top grade games.

Yates is more than aware the next couple of games may decide his future at the club.

“I’m looking at it like that,” he says.

“There is a bit of a window there for me now to try and make an impression so the ball is in my court. But I try to never look too far ahead. 

“I’ll just take it a game at a time, bury the last game and prep for a new week and see what happens.

“The bottom line is with the opportunity, I want to play well and keep my spot and stay here next year. 

“I’ll give it everything and do my best to make a case for myself while I have the chance.”