Dylan Brown answers burning $13m question amid major hint on Fletcher Sharpe’s Knights future

Dylan Brown has opened up about where he feels his best position is in a startling admission following his $13 million Knights contract.

Dylan Brown has admitted he is not a traditional halfback and says his best position is five-eighth despite the Knights splashing $13m on the Eels star to presumably become their new halfback.

The Parramatta five-eighth signed with Newcastle last week on a 10-year deal worth $1.3 million per season that will see him link up with Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga in a bid to bring a first premiership to Newcastle since 2001.

However, despite reportedly being brought in as a marquee halfback, Brown says the Knights are well aware that he is a five-eighth and were still more than willing to sign him to the richest deal in NRL history.

“Right now, no I’m not a seven, I’m a six,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy.

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“I’ve always played six up until now. I’m my own player and they (the Knights) spoke to me about that. They’re willing to take me for what I am now.”

Brown’s comments about his best position have raised more than a few eyebrows given the fact the Knights have taken such a gamble to sign him to a monster contract.

If he plays five-eighth next season it would also beg the question, where does Fletcher Sharpe fit in?

Dylan Brown has opened up about his best position. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The 20-year-old has shined this year and formed a formidable partnership with Ponga to help Newcastle to a 2-0 start to the season.

In the Knights’ 26-12 triumph over the Dolphins on Thursday night Sharpe was a standout with five tackle busts, 126 metres and a try.

He also recently penned a new deal at Newcastle keeping him at the club at least until 2028.

But many have speculated he could inexplicably be dropped if Brown is handed the No. 6 jersey.

However, what viewers may have missed is that in the opening two rounds despite playing in the No. 6 jersey, Sharpe consistently attacks in a fullback role, with Ponga often popping up as the first receiver and halfback Jack Cogger occupying the short side.

The Knights previously experimented with Ponga in the halves but after suffering several head knocks he returned to fullback.

So in a bid to get his hands on the ball more without the risk of further concussions by defending in the line, Ponga has now taken on more of a halfback role in attack, with Sharpe’s raw speed and acceleration better utilised by his sweeping out the back.

Kalyn Ponga (right red circle) has jumped into first receiver often this year, with Fletcher Sharpe (left red circle) attacking as a fullback. Image: Kayo

Could Fletcher Sharpe transition into the Knights halfback?

So theoretically the Knights don’t need a traditional halfback given the fact that Ponga has stepped into that role.

Which means whether Brown is handed the No. 6 or No. 7 at Newcastle is largely irrelevant and he will instead be heavily relied upon for his short kicking game.

Most likely come 2026, Sharpe will be named halfback, which isn’t as odd as you’d think either.

Despite breaking onto the NRL scene last year as a fullback in Ponga’s absence before later making the successful move onto the wing, Sharpe spent most of his junior career playing in the halves.

Veteran NRL commentator Warren Smith also believes Sharpe will be the Knights’ halfback moving forward and says Adam O’Brien is using the Jahrome Hughes blueprint to turn the excitement machine into a complete halfback.

“It’s going to be a big surprise when Dylan Brown – after all the talk – doesn’t play halfback for the Knights next year,” Smith wrote in a post to X.

“Their 2026 Number 7? The kid who played halfback all through his junior footy, Fletcher Sharpe. Their blueprint for this? Jahrome Hughes.”

Originally published as Dylan Brown answers burning $13m question amid major hint on Fletcher Sharpe’s Knights future