Knights coach Adam O'Brien is considering a massive gamble by playing fullback/winger Fletcher Sharpe in the halves this season.
There has been much debate over the summer regarding the Knights' starting halves, with Jack Cogger, Jackson Hastings, Phoenix Crossland, Will Pryce and Tyson Gamble all in contention.
But Wide World of Sports spies at Knights training have reported that the majority of the pre-season sessions have featured Gamble at halfback and Sharpe at five-eighth.
Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien. Getty
Sharpe joined the Knights' top 30 squad at the start of 2024 and proved a breath of fresh air, scoring 11 tries in 12 games.
But that was all at fullback or wing and a move to the halves would be a major surprise.
O'Brien is likely to try the youngster there in the trials before making a final decision of the make-up of his team for the premiership proper in March.
ROOSTERS LOOKING TO LOCK DOWN FUTURE STAR
The Roosters know Queensland under 19 winger Tyreece Tait is a special talent – and they are ensuring he is going nowhere.
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The 19-year-old joined the Roosters from Brisbane last year and scored 14 tries from 10 games in the NSW Cup.
Speedy and elusive, the youngster is set to sign a new three-year deal with the Roosters.
An NRL debut isn't far off for the exciting teenager, who is likely to be given a chance to show his talents in the top grade in the trials next month.
SON OF A GUN EMERGES THROUGH TITANS RANKS
Remember former Kiwi international and Bulldogs, Magpies, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Panthers winger Jason Williams?
He was a fine player with a knack for scoring tries back in the 1980s and '90s and his son looks set to follow in his footsteps.
Ryder Williams, a talented five-eighth, is only 18 but has broken into the Titans top 30 squad for 2025.
The youngster is learning plenty from Des Hasler and Kieran Foran – two blokes who know a thing or two about playing in the halves – and could make his top grade debut at some stage of the season.
SYDNEY CLUB IN FINANCIAL STRIFE
Which club is in financial strife and needed the NRL to buy one of its assets to bail it out of danger?
It's all been kept very hush-hush for fear of spooking sponsors and stakeholders.
Here's a clue… it's one of the many Sydney clubs… and won a comp in the 2010s.
