Birthday celebrations on hold as Sharpe shoots for more growth

With his 21st birthday celebrations kept on ice – for now – Fletcher Sharpe is hoping to celebrate more milestones with the Knights after they got their season back on track against the Rabbitohs.

The five-eighth was on fire for his side as they broke a five-game losing streak against an understrength Rabbitohs side, scoring a hat-trick as Newcastle posted a 30-4 win.

The Cessnock Goannas junior – who has made the move into the halves this season – has been backed by his coach Adam O’Brien and captain Kalyn Ponga as he grows into the role of being a playmaker, after making his NRL debut in Round 14 last year as a fullback.

“He’s only 21, I think we're sort of forgetting that as well,” Ponga said after the match.

“It's only his second year in the NRL, and it's not a position he's familiar with … he's a natural footy player, he puts himself in good positions through effort.

“He's still learning that position, both on the defensive side and the attack side.

“His best footy is just footy; just instinctive, eyes up, the more opportunities he gets in that that sort of position, the better.

“But that's for everyone to put him in that position.

“I'm happy for him (for his game). It's his 21st, he's had three tries, he's down there (in the sheds) with a smile on his face … it's important and Gags as well, 200 games; two big, milestones that that we wanted to perform for.”

Sharpe said the faith put in him by his captain and coach this season has he transitioned positions had been vital.

“For sure, Adam said to me at the start of the year, ‘it's your position, you want to work hard for it, earn that spot’, that's what I'm trying to do each week,” Sharpe said.

“I still got a lot to learn, a lot of great players around me that helped me along the way.

“I think (my key to improvement is) just finding what works for me, not trying to go away from my natural game.

“The coaching staff's been really good on telling me to back my first instinct, back what I see first go with that, and it gives me a lot of confidence to go out there and play my footy.”

Someone else in his corner backing him to play his own game is one of Newcastle’s greatest ever players and celebrated halfback Andrew Johns, who has shared his words of encouragement.

“He says just back yourself … ‘you're a young, exciting player, don't go away from your first instinct’," Sharpe said.

“(He’s the) best halfback to play the game (and) to have his confidence was pretty special.”

Next week, Knights looking to string back-to-back wings together for the first time since the season started when they host the Titans.

“It's just nice to get a full 80-minute team performance … we've been building for that and now hopefully it gives us a bit of confidence building into next week back at home,” Sharpe said.

“We've got to turn around quickly, we have a short turnaround before the Titans.”