Nelson Sharp returned to Thirroul this season, having played at the club from the age of six for all but two years of his rugby league career.
Unfortunately, for the 23-year-old local junior, one of those stints was the 2023 season, when the Butchers ended a nine-year premiership drought.
“It looks like I’m trying to chase a trophy now, but that stung me a bit,” Sharp recalls.
“Sitting on the hill at WIN Stadium and watching the boys celebrate like they did. Good on them because they deserved it, but I wished I was out there with them.
“I spent most of my Saturdays at Gibson Park when they were playing at home. They had a good team, and what got me over the line to come back at the end of last year was their winning the comp.”
Career ambition
Sharp was a member of the club’s U18 premiership-winning team back in 2019. Six members of that team, including Sharp, are now playing first grade for the Butchers.
“It was a good year. We played Wests in the Grand Final, and they’ve still got some boys in their first-grade team as well.”
Having played mainly centre, Sharp left the club at the end of the 2021 season, seeking to further his career as a middle forward in the Big Smoke. He played the 2022 season with Mounties, reaching week one of the Final Series.
“I was chasing the dream at Mounties but didn’t get a crack in NSW Cup. I just played Ron Massey, but it was a good experience.
“We were always training with NSW Cup and had Mick Potter there coaching until he went up to First Grade (as interim coach of the NRL Bulldogs).
“Everyone writes the Ron Massey comp off, but when you think about it, it’s really the third division to the NRL, so it is a very high standard.”
Then Mittagong Lions coach Jimmy Grehan came calling for 2023.
“I’m good mates with Jimmy and a few of the boys that were there. Jimmy coached me in Under 16s for the Illawarra South Coast Dragons.
“It was a good experience up there helping the club, but it was cold,” he says with a laugh.
Homecoming
When club legend Aaron Beath started calling at the end of the 2023 season, Sharp knew it was time to come home.
“He had previously helped me come through the grades, took me under his wing a little bit, and showed me what it means to be a Thirroul first grader.
“He wanted me to come back and be a little pest at training. There’s nothing better than coming back home and helping Thirroul out.”
An off-season sit-down with coach Jarrod Costello brought a positional switch back to the centres.
“Full credit to Jacko. He wanted me to do a job and do more.
“I was kicking stones for two days, but once round one came against Wests, I played all right and kind of locked down that position, and now I’m looking to see where this year goes.”
Learning from the best
He is also enjoying spending time with another club legend, Jarrod Boyle.
“Boyley is one of the best blokes off the field, and he is one of the best blokes on the field, too.
“He is 33 years of age, and the things he does on the field and what he teaches you at training are invaluable.
Hooker Brad Deitz is another player he looks up to.
“They’re probably the best nine and six I’ve ever played with, just their experience.
“They’ve done well in the game, around the league. Deitz has played NRL. But they’re good blokes off the field, too, and that’s why everyone respects them.”
Dreamcatcher
As for continuing to chase the dream of higher honours, Sharp is philosophical.
“You never give up, but I’m not really chasing it. If it comes my way, I’ll take it with both hands.
“I’ll just see what happens and let good footy do the talking.”
Helping the Butchers to back-to-back titles would undoubtedly be another childhood dream come true.
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