Fletcher Sharpe expects to be back doing contact work just six months after a freak moment on the field left him with a ruptured spleen and a lacerated kidney, with new Knights coach Justin Holbrook keen to sort out his new-look spine after welcoming back some of his squad on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Sharpe is likely to remain in the halves alongside high-profile recruit Dylan Brown, but it\u2019ll be a while until they do any work together given the former Eel is on international duty with New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Sharpe, 21, is just happy to be back at training after a sickening injury against the Dolphins in Perth when he landed heavily on the ball.<\/p>\n
He was initially taken from the field for a head injury assessment, but the speedster was then taken to hospital where doctors discovered the full extent of the injury. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a little bit of a journey, but being back on the field today was all worth it,\u201d he said in Newcastle, recalling the June ordeal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a little bit hairy there for a moment. It was just a straightforward tackle, pretty much, and then I was taken off for an HIA.<\/p>\n
\u201cPretty much through the night it progressively got a little bit worse, but the doctors and medical staff did a great job. They got me straight to hospital and went through the protocols there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got taken straight in and they needed to stop the bleeding. They took great care of me and walked me through every step of the way. It was great to feel comfortable in what was not a great time, so I\u2019m very grateful. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a great outcome, but I\u2019m out the other side now and ready to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt rocks you a little bit, but I haven\u2019t really thought too much about it after it. I like to stay in the present and keep moving forward, and I feel like I\u2019ve made the right steps. I\u2019m in a good headspace where I\u2019m ready to get back into footy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharpe joked that he drove a few family members mad during his recovery, but he\u2019s steadily improved following monthly checks with specialists where an early retirement was never discussed.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been back in the gym for a while but still has a few things he must tick off before he can resume contact, with Sharpe happy to slot in at five-eighth, fullback or any other role Holbrook has for him. <\/p>\n
\u201cWherever the team needs me,\u201d he declared after scoring 11 tries in 14 matches last season, with Newcastle\u2019s attack struggling without him on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever my role can best suit the team and the way we want to play is where I\u2019ll play.<\/p>\n
\u201cWherever I can get my hands on the ball as much and make the biggest impact for the team in the backs, that\u2019s where I\u2019ll be happy. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that\u2019s what makes it even more exciting with players fighting for positions in the same important roles. I think that creates a competitive nature around training and makes every person in the building better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holbrook answered questions for 17 minutes after the club\u2019s first training session since Adam O\u2019Brien left, with the make-up of their spine the most pressing issue for the 2025 wooden-spooners who were awful at times in attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to work that out,\u201d the new coach said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the most talked-about thing with the spine up here and where everyone plays. But to be honest, I just have to get everyone back to training.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt they\u2019re all going to fit in. Fletcher Sharpe is electrifying. Just looking at vision of him playing last year, he\u2019s such a well-balanced runner that can play anywhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can fit him in anywhere, but preferably in the halves is where he\u2019ll fit in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kalyn Ponga is set to remain fullback and captain despite concerns over his long-term future at the club, while new recruit Sandon Smith is a genuine chance of playing dummy-half despite being a regular playmaker at the Roosters. <\/p>\n
\u201cSandon is equally as good at nine as he in the halves,\u201d Holbrook said, pleased with how Brown and Phoenix Crossland have gelled in attack for the Kiwis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got the luxury of Phoenix playing Test footy for the Kiwis at nine, but he\u2019s also good at 13, so we\u2019ll definitely fit them all in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes us a real dangerous side.\u201d<\/p>\n