Fletcher Sharpe Scores Twice as Knights Beat Titans 36-12

fletcher sharpe made his first NRL start at centre and scored twice as Newcastle beat Gold Coast 36-12 in Brisbane on Sunday. The 22-year-old also saved a try with a strong tackle early, giving the Knights a new backline option after Bradman Best was ruled out with a calf injury.

Sharpe Takes Centre Stage

Newcastle had originally listed Fletcher Hunt as Best's replacement before revealing Sharpe's switch 90 minutes before kick-off. He had played wing, fullback or five-eighth in his previous 34 NRL games, so the move asked something new of him straight away.

Sharpe answered with a try in the first half, then finished again after Newcastle had pulled clear. He scored in both halves and kept his workload on the defensive side too, stopping a Gold Coast chance when the Knights were still sorting out their shape.

Marzhew and Young Break It Open

Greg Marzhew turned the match with an interception and a 90-metre run five minutes into the second half, putting Newcastle in front for the first time. Eight minutes later, Dom Young followed with a chip-and-chase finish after AJ Brimson fumbled the catch, and Newcastle were away from there.

Gold Coast did pull one back through Kurtis Morrin from close range in the 56th minute, but Young answered seven minutes later to make it 22-10. Dane Gagai scored from dummy-half down a short side in the 66th minute, and two minutes later Sharpe raced 30 metres down the left edge for his second try.

Newcastle's Top-Eight Push

Young completed his hat-trick with seven minutes left to play as Newcastle finished a third straight win and moved further inside the top eight. Gold Coast stayed second last with two wins and eight losses, while the Knights' handling of Sharpe at centre added another option for a side that needed a change and got one that worked.