Fletcher sharpens as the perfect Ponga replacement for Newcastle

While the Knights couldn’t bring two points back to Newcastle, they departed Melbourne with one massive fullback-shaped positive.

There aren’t many places more imposing to make your NRL debut than at AAMI Park against the Storm, with 20-year-old Fletcher Sharpe handling the challenge with the air if someone who had done it all before.

A product of the Cessnock Goannas, Sharpe progressed through the development pathways at Newcastle, and debuted in NSW Cup this year with no idea that his performances had garnered the attention from the hierarchy that they had.

“You don’t think about it when you’re training,” the youngster explained. “You don’t realise how close you are, I guess. When something like this happens, you’ve got to be ready.”

“The try was pretty amazing. All the boys got around me, they were stoked.

"It’s a good feeling, but a bittersweet experience to not get the win with it.”

The fullback's opportunity came after an injury to David Armstrong, with Sharpe's family travelling down to Melbourne for the game to present him with his jersey.

Knights coach Adam O'Brien spoke to the emotion of the moment in seeing what it meant for the talented youngster before the game.

“Last night, with the jersey presentation, just to see what it means to him, how emotional he was, and how proud his parents were - it was a proud moment for our club," O'Brien reflected the game.

“The club has done a really good job, a lot of hard work’s gone into our pathways and we’re not a finished product - we’re going to work even harder - but there’s some people that are working in our pathways that deserve a pat on the back for developing these kids, and he’s a great example of it.

“I thought they did a really good job Melbourne, particularly kicking fourth tackle to try and pin him down there without the help of his wingers to kind of isolate him a little bit… [but] he didn’t look out of place at all.”

“That’s a hell of a debut. It’s not an easy place to come and make your debut against Melbourne and the team that they are. It would have been nerve wracking. But I think Fletch did a great job so we're really proud of him."

Sharpe will retain the number one jumper as he prepares for an equally daunting task, taking on the three-time defending premiers Penrith in Newcastle.

“I’m hoping so,” Sharpe answered, smiling, when speaking of his chances at keeping the fullback spot for the time being.

“It was my first game and I’ll keep growing. I’ll go home and watch that, see what I can pick up, see where I can develop my game and improve, and go from there.”