Expert reveals footy star could have DIED from horrific injuries he suffered during match: ‘It’s car crash-type stuff’

• Fletcher Sharpe had to be raced to hospital last weekend
• Newcastle Knights star was also concussed in tackle

By JAMES COONEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA and SCOTT BAILEY FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

A leading sports physiotherapist has exposed the full seriousness of Fletcher Sharpe’s injuries after the Newcastle star suffered a ruptured spleen and lacerated kidney on Saturday.

Sharpe reported abdominal soreness after suffering a concussion in the Knights’ 26-20 win over the Dolphins – and scans later revealed the full extent of the damage.

It is understood he suffered the injury when his body hit the ground and landed on his elbow in the same tackle that gave him the concussion.

Physiotherapist Brien Seeney – better known as the NRL Physio on X – told his 56,000-plus followers about the potentially life-threatening nature of Sharpe’s condition.

‘Genuine car crash type stuff for Fletcher Sharpe, with news he has suffered a ruptured spleen to go along with a lacerated kidney,’ he posted.

‘Injuries of this magnitude are considered a medical emergency – require immediate medical attention & can lead to life threatening internal bleeding.

Tackle didnt appear too high force at the time, but it was reportedly Sharpe falling on his own elbow that did the damage.

Thankfully he is said to be recovering well under observation in Perth, but an expected date for his return to the field is obviously very uncertain.

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 23, 2025

Fletcher Sharpe suffered a lacerated kidney and ruptured spleen in Saturday’s match

‘Tackle didn’t appear too high force at the time, but it was reportedly Sharpe falling on his own elbow that did the damage. 

‘Thankfully he is said to be recovering well under observation in Perth, but an expected date for his return to the field is obviously very uncertain.’  

The five-eighth has been joined by his family in Perth as he continues to receive medical attention.

Sharpe would already have missed Friday night’s clash with Canberra due to concussion issues. The Knights have a bye the following week.

Newcastle do not yet have a timeline on how much longer they expect the 21-year-old to miss, but he could be out for the entire season.

Sharpe has been one of Newcastle’s best threats this year, scoring 11 tries and setting up another three in a side that has the worst attacking record in the NRL.

Newcastle have several back-up options in the halves, with Tyson Gamble available again and Jackson Hastings having returned to the NRL against Manly this month.

Elsewhere, there are fears Dolphins winger Jack Bostock suffered a dreaded ACL rupture in the Perth match.

Physiotherapist Brien Seeney described the injury to Sharpe (pictured left with Andrew Johns) as ‘genuine car crash type stuff’

Sharpe reported abdominal soreness after the hit that landed him in hospital

The potentially season-ending injury comes just a week after the flyer scored four tries against North Queensland last Saturday.

The Warriors are also waiting on scans on halfback Luke Metcalf’s quad and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s ankle after their loss to Penrith.

Watene-Zelezniak is expected to be sidelined for some time with a syndesmosis injury, but the fourth-placed club hold some hope that Metcalf’s is not serious.

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Expert reveals footy star could have DIED from horrific injuries he suffered during match: ‘It’s car crash-type stuff’

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