Locked in: Knowles ready to go in new-look Phins forward pack

After locking in the No.13 jersey for the Dolphins’ season-opener against the Rabbitohs, English import Morgan Knowles was looking forward to ‘getting going’ in the NRL.

Knowles, who won three of four titles with St Helens under current Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, has more than 200 games Super League under his belt, but said it would take time to adjust in the new competition.

“It's reffed a lot different, ruck’s a lot quicker and that's been a fair change … it's been a little bit of a challenge and something I'll have to get used to,” Knowles said ahead of the match against the Rabbitohs.

“But everything so far has been really good and I've enjoyed it. I'm sure not going to be perfect Round 1, but as the year goes on, I’ll get more comfortable.

“After pre-season you never quite know how you're going to feel Round 1 and no matter how much fitness you do, you're always gassed, because it's different playing in a game.

“I'm sure the lungs will be burning out there and it'll be hot but looking forward to just getting going now.

“We've got some unbelievable talent and strike and the lads attacked really well last year, but we want to try and make the foundations of a real hardworking team and defensively getting after it.

“I feel real welcomed from the boys in the club and enjoying my time.”

Knowles will start in a Dolphins pack that has again been affected by injury, with Max Plath (returning via Queensland Cup), Daniel Saifiti (shoulder), Ray Stone (shoulder), Jeremy Marshall-King (knee) and Francis Molo (suspension) out of action.

However, in a huge boost to the side, State of Origin representatives Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert have both been named to start in the front row, marking their NRL return from long-term injuries.

“I love playing with those two blokes, they're real tough and work hard,” Knowles said.

“They are my sort of players, so I'm excited to play with them.

“(I have been) ... picking their brains and then vice versa as well, if I play in that 13 role, sort of helping direct those two around and letting them know what I want …

“Using that to complement each other of what we're good at and working on those combinations.”

As well as linking up with his England team-mate Herbie Farnworth at the Dolphins, Knowles said he was inspired by the feats of fellow English and St Helens forward James Graham who made a lasting impact in his time in the NRL.

“I can't speak highly enough of Jammer,” Knowles said.

“Goes out saying what he's done over here and the standing he's got in the game.

“I didn't play with him for too long, came over (back to England) in the COVID year and played the back end of the season, so sort of six-seven months.

“But even in that short time, he had a massive impact on me and my career and I learnt loads off him directly and indirectly just watching him, how he goes about his business and his mentality … he was just all in.

“That last year at St Helens, his body was busted, the amount of pain he was in, but he'd just keep turning up, turning up.

“He was always do an extra little bit of con at the end of the sessions and that was more of a mentality thing for him that, it was like he knew he'd done the work in the week and ticked it off and me and a couple of younger players (would) just try to come off the back of that.

“He was just a great role model and someone that carried like a real aura when you're playing with him.

“You obviously don't want to let your teammates down, but you almost didn't want to let him down as well and wanted to impress him.

“He's a real good bloke as well, so look forward to catching up with him soon at some point.”