HE was expected to make way once skipper Kalyn Ponga was cleared to resume, but Knights rookie Fletcher Sharpe has played so well in his three-game NRL career that coach Adam O'Brien had to find a spot for him in Sunday's clash with the Raiders in Canberra. Login or signup to continue reading Sharpe, the 20-year-old fullback from Cessnock, has been named in jersey No.14 after Tuesday's surprise announcement that Ponga has recovered from surgery to repair the foot ligament he ruptured 10 weeks ago.
If Ponga handles a week of training and takes his place on Sunday, it remains something of a mystery what role Sharpe will play. Hooker Phoenix Crossland has been ruled out with a concussion, which means Jayden Brailey might benefit from a job-sharing dummy-half on the bench. But the more likely option would appear to be that Sharpe, who played in the halves during his formative years, will be deployed as a ball-playing lock, or small middle forward.
In the past, O'Brien has used the likes of Kurt Mann, Connor Watson and Chris Randall in similar fashion. Whatever the case, O'Brien and his coaching staff have shown faith in Sharpe, who carried the ball 141 metres and made some crucial tackles in last week's 34-26 win against Paramatta. "He was outstanding," O'Brien said.
"He was in everything. "It wasn't until I watched it on video ..
. everything that was good, he was sort of in and around it. "His anticipation and support play, but also his bravery and toughness, under the high ball.
