“They all say why don’t you play with your dad and stuff like that,” he said.

“I just say ‘I enjoy rugby a bit more’.”

The 20-year-old is the black sheep of a family for which league is a deep-seated passion.

That will be emphasised on Saturday with Jackson and his Pirates side looking to secure a home Central North grand final, while elder brother Jordan and father Geoff, and their Kootingal side, chase a spot in Group 4 grand final.

Geoff is the Roosters coach and Jordan their five-eighth.

They finished as minor premiers but were outgunned by reigning champions North Tamworth in last Sunday’s major preliminary final and now must overcome Gunnedah to earn a rematch with the Bears.

Pirates likewise were minor premiers, and will be hoping not have to resort to their second chance when they tackle Moree in the qualifying final.

Sharpe will start at half-back, where he has been a consistent presence for the majority of the season.

“I played reserve grade the first three rounds and then I was lucky enough to get the call-up to play first grade,” he said.

Stepping up from the juniors this season and after getting a bit of a taste of first grade last season, Sharpe said cementing a first grade spot was a goal. It’s one he has worked hard to make come to fruition, doing extra sessions with former Pirates half-back Jack Walsh.

It is only his third season of rugby after playing league until his late teens.

“When I was 17 I played for the West Lions in under-18s. We only had 12 every weekend and it just wasn’t working,” Sharpe said.

“I had a few mates that played rugby. So when I was turning 18, so 2016, I went and tried out for rugby because there was no under-18s team in town besides Norths and I didn’t really want to go there. So I decided to play rugby instead and just enjoyed it ever since then.”

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Also a half-back in his league days, there are a few vagaries, Sharpe comparing the half-back role in rugby to more like playing hooker in league. The link between the ruck and the attack, the half-back is the one that really drives the attack and controls the pace of the game.

He spoke of the physicality and the fitness as probably the biggest adjustments he has found.

“It’s a bit more more physical in the rucks and stuff, and a bit more fitness because I have to run to every ruck,” Sharpe said.

He said everyone is pretty pumped for Saturday and the chance to host a third straight grand final.

“This is what everyone plays footy for, to try and earn that spot so everyone’s really excited,” he said.

They were beaten by the Bulls last time the two sides met but will be a very-different side on Saturday to then. There was no Ben Goodman, Andrew Collins, Andrew Moodie or Brendan Rixon.

“Ever since everyone came back together it’s all positive chat so that’s boosted everyone’s confidence,” Sharpe said.

He pointed to their go-forward as one area they need to be better. 

Defence has also again been a big focus.

“We been trying to work on our defensive line after the last time we played them,” he said.

Sharpe has a fair idea of what to expect.

Part of the Pirates side that defeated Moree in last season’s under-19s grand final, he came off the bench in the first grade decider.

“It’s a whole different ball game finals, a lot faster,” he said.

The Bulls will be looking to bounce back from a last round loss to Narrabri, and will also be eyeing off a spot in the second grade decider.

They take on the Blue Boars in what will be the second game of four, to be followed by the women’s clash between Inverell and Pirates.

The action kicks-off at 11.25am with the under-19s clash between Farrer and Pirates.