Tate is moving to Western Australia to study physiotherapy at Curtin University in Perth.

He leaves the Selkirk Roosters after six years and 55 senior games.

The 23-year-old made his debut in 2009 and quickly made his mark, joining the leadership group the following year.

He narrowly missed out on selection in the 2010 premiership team, instead being named an emergency.

Tate has spent all his life in black and white at the Northern Oval.

He progressed through North Ballarat Junior Football Club ranks to the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup under-18 competition before getting a place on the Roosters’ list.

Tate said he was unsure what he would do football-wise in WA.

He said he had trained with WAFL club Subiaco on a previous visit, but had no preference.

Tate said while he would consider playing in the WAFL if the opportunity arose, he would be just as happy playing with mates at a lower level.

Tate joins the likes of captain and key position premiership player Michael Searl, ruckman Sam Conroy, former Melbourne-listed Lucas Cook and Callum Currie as departures from the Roosters.