From one Goanna to another, Sharpe hoping to live out the same title dream as Matty and Joey

Fletcher Sharpe was born in 2004, almost three years after the Knights won their most recent premiership and nearly eight after their first.

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Matthew Johns had been retired for two years, while his younger brother Andrew "Joey" Johns hung up the boots in 2007, when Sharpe was three.

The Cessnock Goannas junior never got to see either Johns play live - well, not that he can remember.

But raised in the same home town as two of the Knights' favourite sons - one now an Immortal - Sharpe knew all about the legend of Matty and Joey from a young age.

"My old man and my uncles [would talk about them]," Sharpe said.

"Growing up in the 'nock', they were the legends of the town and deservedly so.

"When you go out to the Cessnock grounds, their faces are all over the sheds.

"Everyone out there is always talking about them and what they've done for the game.

"That's kind of drilled into you out there, to want to grow up and be like them.

"To grow up in the same home town as them, and be in a grand final like they were many years ago, it's super cool."

Fletcher Sharpe. Picture by Jonathan Carroll

The Johns brothers were emotional wrecks after Newcastle's 22-14 win over Penrith last week.

Joey broke down in commentary with Channel Nine, while Matty was in tears trying to summarise the game at the start of his post-match television show on Fox League.

The footage brings just about any Knights tragic to tears, and Sharpe is no different.

"You always hear, being from around here, what it would mean to bring a grand final back here," Sharpe said.

"I think over the last few weeks, we've been starting to see that.

"Greats of the game, and of this town and area, to see how much emotion it still brings back to them - how much love and passion they have for the club, it's amazing.

Andrew and Matthew Johns. Picture by Peter Stoop

"After the game, the emotion boiled over when that full-time siren went, and we realised that we're into the grand final.

"You think about what it could mean, and to so many people as well.

"To finally be in that position, and bringing it back to Newy, obviously one more job to do, but it's amazing to be a part of it."

Almost three decades after Matty and Joey steered the Knights to their inaugural title in 1997 - Joey backing up again in 2001 - Sharpe gets a chance to try and win the club's third premiership.

Routinely referred to as a Cessnock Goanna during match commentary, the 22-year-old said he "definitely" felt a connection to Joey and Matty beyond the norm.

Andrew Johns playing for Cessnock. Picture Facebook

The son of a coal miner, just like they were, Sharpe will wear the No.6 jersey against the Roosters on Sunday, the same number Matty had on in 1997.

But despite hailing from Cessnock and being earmarked as a future star coming through the Knights' development system as a teenager, Sharpe didn't encounter the brothers until he arrived at NRL level.

Andrew called him out of the blue before his debut against the Storm in Melbourne in round 14 of the 2024 season - "still a pinch-me moment" - while he has since met Matty through media engagements: "An absolute legend of a fella".

A multi-sport talent growing up, excelling at cricket and athletics as well, Sharpe said he had dreamt of playing in a grand final with the Knights for as long as he can remember.

"It's all I've ever really dreamed of, to be honest," he said.

"I would have days off school and I wouldn't be watching cartoons, I'd be watching replays of the footy.

Fletcher Sharpe playing junior footy for Cessnock. Pictures Facebook

"As soon as I could kind of remember, I was thinking about playing in the NRL and getting to a grand final and those biggest games.

"To think I'm here is pretty crazy. I'm super grateful for the position I'm in now and to be a part of this team.

"It's been a long, hard journey, and probably hasn't been the easiest ride for Newy fans around here of late, so they deserve this just as much as us."

Sharpe has played 51 games for the Knights over the past three seasons, scoring 35 tries. He has played every position in the back-line.

A fullback coming through the grades, he has found a home at five-eighth after transitioning there last season under former coach Adam O'Brien.

The attacking dynamo has the ability to produce a game-defining play.

"The big X-factor in this game is Fletcher Sharpe," Matty Johns said this week.

Sharpe on the attack. Picture by Jonathan Carroll

"Fletcher Sharpe has no master ... he is not hamstrung to any game plan.

"He plays like an old-school, traditional English rugby league player; players like Garry Schofield, Ellery Hanley.

"The thing with Fletcher is, if he got a hat-trick in the first half, I would not be totally shocked.

"He is just one of those really special players."

A former student of St Patrick's Primary School at Cessnock, St Joseph's College at Lochinvar and All Saints' College St Mary's at Maitland, Sharpe said he was feeling the love from Cessnock and surrounds this week.

He would love nothing more than to return to those schools in coming weeks, his home town and the Hunter at large with a premiership trophy, just like Matty and Joey did.

Having lost an under-21 Jersey Flegg Cup grand final by one point in 2022, and the under-19 SG Ball Cup decider by six points the year after, he is hoping it's "third time lucky" this time round.

"Driving through the 'nock' this week, there were Knights jerseys everywhere," Sharpe said.

"We spoke about bringing a grand final back to this town way back at the start of the year, and we're here now.

"It's super cool to bring a grand final back to them, and this group deserves it as well. We've worked hard for it.

"We've got one more job to do to bring it home.

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