Sharpe pain: Fletcher opens up on horror injury as Vegas looms

Fletcher Sharpe has opened up on the Perth hospital stint that saw him receive emergency treatment for a lacerated kidney and damaged spleen while declaring he will be fit for the Knights 2026 season opener in Las Vegas.

The 21-year-old returned to training on Tuesday for his first full session since suffering the gruesome injury in his side's Round 16 win over the Dolphins in Perth. 

Sharpe crashed to the ground in a heavy tackle and left the field for an HIA. By the end of the night, he was in hospital after doctors discovered the full extent of injuries more commonly seen after motor vehicle accidents.

"It was a little bit hairy for a moment there," Sharpe said in his first public comments since suffering the injury. "During the game it was just a straightforward tackle, I was taken off for an HIA and just throughout the night I progressively got a little bit worse.

"The doctors and the medical staff did a great job. They got me straight to hospital, then we went through the protocol there.

"I got taken straight in, they needed to stop the bleeding. They were excellent over there and took great care of me. They walked me through every step of the way. It was great to feel comfortable in what is not a great time, so I'm forever grateful for what they did over there."

Sharpe has endured an arduous few months since being released from hospital and flying back to Newcastle for the next stage of his recovery. 

Once the bed rest restrictions were lifted, he steadily increased his activity levels literally step by step.

Sharpe's rehab started with walking laps around the Knights training field before he was granted clearance by doctors to expand his exercise routine.

"The first three months I was barely breaking a sweat," Sharpe said. "I was walking laps of the field. I got a pretty good knowledge of that field out there, I walked a fair few laps. 

"That was slow, but once I got the first couple of green lights to go, it was fast tracked from there. 

"I wasn't able to do much for a while, just eat and lay there in bed, so it's exciting now I get to work myself back to where I was before the injury. Then I can get past that point, which is exciting. 

"We've got a great team in here, they've put a lot of time and effort into me. It's time to repay them and get myself back into a spot where I can be beneficial for the club."

Sharpe has ticked every box since suffering the injury, with doctors closely monitoring his progress with regular check-ups and scans. 

While he assembled alongside his Knights teammates on Tuesday as they start a new era under coach Justin Holbrook, Sharpe remains on restricted duties. 

The 21-year-old is yet to commence contact training and will continue to be monitored over the coming weeks.

Sharpe expects to be at full operations by Christmas and declared he will be on the plane to Vegas for Newcastle's Round 1 clash with the Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium. 

"I wouldn't miss it, no way," Sharpe said. "When the club's taking the field for the first time, the first trial, I want to be there. 

"I'll be putting my best foot forward for the team, for the club and I'm excited."

Holbrook is set to unveil a new-look Knights side in Las Vegas, with Dylan Brown and Sandon Smith headlining a list of new recruits. 

The pair's arrival makes for an intriguing lead in to Round 1, with plenty of questions surrounding the makeup of the spine. 

Sharpe, Smith and Brown appear to be in a three-way battle for two spots in the halves. Phoenix Crossland is expected to start at hooker and Kalyn Ponga fullback. 

Holbrook indicated on Tuesday his initial plan is to start Brown at halfback and Sharpe at five-eighth but will let the pre-season play out before making a decision.

Brown has starred for the Kiwis during the Pacific Championships, raising hopes he can deliver on lofty expectations after signing a lucrative 10-year contract with the club earlier this year.

Sharpe opted against weighing in on the positional battle but revealed he has been impressed by his new teammate's performances for New Zealand. 

"He's a class player, someone that can create a lot of things out of nothing, which is exciting," Sharpe said. "It's always good to work with high-class players like that. 

"He's been killing it over there for New Zealand so it's even more exciting for him to get back, to work alongside him and see how we can combine."