To make matters worse for the Tricolours, representative prop Spencer Leniu was put on report and former Wallabies sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase finished the match with ice on his left calf.
Sharpe's speed, smarts and penchant for backing up led to him scoring two first-half tries as the Knights blitzed their way to a 36-4 lead at the break.
The 20-year-old scored 11 tries in 12 games as a fullback or winger last year.
His transformation to the playmaking role looks to be a masterstroke by coach Adam O'Brien.
The Roosters have lost a suite of stars and have key spine members Sam Walker and Brandon Smith on the injury list, but still they offered nothing in attack and their defence was threadbare.
Roosters dual-title winner Cooper Cronk, in TV commentary, lamented his old side's "lack of intensity in the middle" that led to the Knights making hay.
It was the Tricolours' defence on their own goal line that would have concerned Trent Robinson.
Unless the NRL powerhouse finds answers quickly they will be fodder for the bigger clubs this season.
Newcastle were red hot, with hooker Phoenix Crossland and State of Origin stars Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best on fire.
The Roosters lost Leniu to the sin bin in the third minute for a high shot on Crossland when Leniu suffered a knock to the head in the process. The category two concussion meant Leniu had to spend an extra five minutes off the field.
O'Brien's men made the Roosters pay with Crossland sending forward Jacob Saifiti over and Sharpe swooping after a loose Roosters pass to sprint 60m and open up a 12-0 lead.
Saifiti was awarded a penalty try after he was impeded from scoring by Nat Butcher after a Crossland kick.
Sharpe scored his second after linking with Bradman Best and the carnage continued.
Ponga started and finished a try on the cusp of halftime to complete the humiliation.
Speaking post-match on Fox League, Ponga said Sharpe had "definitely" made the five-eighth position his own.
"He has still got a lot of work to do but has definitely got the right attitude to do so," he said.
"He has had a great pre-season and hopefully that can set him up for a good year."
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