nib Newcastle Knights forward Luke Yates said he recovered from a shoulder injury he picked up in Round 16 a lot faster than expected.
While it initially seemed that it could spell a premature end to his maiden NRL season, two weeks later he was back on the field.
“I was thinking I was probably done for the season, but I just had to get it stable around the area and it was sweet to go," the young forward explained on Wednesday.
“It has come good with two weeks off so I was pretty happy to get in the clear and come back.”
The 22-year-old said he’s looking forward to putting in another big effort against the Brisbane Broncos this Saturday, whilst coming up against some familiar faces.
“I have a good mate playing for them that used to stay with me a bit, Tevita Pangai,” stated Yates.
“It will be a good chance to verse them... they’re a really solid team so it will be exciting.
“I went to school with Tevita at Hunter Sports High, he then came to Lambton High with me for a couple of years before he went to Canberra."
Yates says the team won’t be paying any particular attention to former Knight Korbin Sims either.
“He is the same as any other Broncos player,” commented Yates.
“I know Korbin pretty well, but he’ll be the same as anyone else and we’re not going to try to go at him, he’s just another player.”
Three grades are in action this Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium, NYC kick off at 1.15pm before ISP at 3.10pm and NRL at 5.30pm.
