Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien has admitted it’s unlikely Fletcher Sharpe will return to the field in 2025 after the rising star suffered a lacerated kidney and ruptured spleen in what’s been described as a “car crash-level” injury.
Sharpe’s season-ending blow is a brutal setback for the 21-year-old and a serious dent in the Knights’ finals hopes. The freak incident has left the club reeling, with O’Brien revealing how serious the damage is, both physically and structurally, for the squad.
“I think we’re a long way away from knowing when he’ll be actually participating in contact sport or even [be able to] lift anything heavy, I’d imagine,” O’Brien told Wide World of Sports.
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“So it’s a pretty significant injury and something that we won’t take lightly.”
“Surprised if we do see him back this season”
With recovery timelines unclear and the risks far too great, O’Brien said he’d be shocked to see Sharpe in Knights colours again this season.
“I’d actually be surprised if we do see him back this season,” he said. “But I’m not the expert there. I’ll leave that up to the guys that are a lot smarter than me.”
Despite the severity of the injuries, the coach dismissed any talk of early retirement and remains confident in Sharpe’s long-term future.
The promising playmaker is expected to return in 2026, where he’ll need to regain his rhythm and adjust to the arrival of star recruit Dylan Brown. For now, the focus is firmly on recovery and patience.