MORGAN Knowles may hail from the birthplace of Stan Laurel but there is nothing comedic about his aim – exiting St Helens on a high.
This is serious business. After a regular season where fans criticised players and questioned coach Paul Wellens, he knows three more wins and it will be all ‘forgotten about.’
Not even the thought of swapping Merseyside in winter for summer in Queensland after agreeing a move to NRL side Dolphins is distracting him.
As he says, St Helens is sunny anyway.
Knowles, a proud Cumbrian from Ulverston, said: “I live in sunny St Helens, so I’m away from wet and cold Ulverston in winter.
“There’s been a bit going on in the background. Obviously, logistically, that has to be done before I go, but my focus this year has been all on Saints and playing well.
“Not letting that stuff distract from what’s most important to me, which is finishing on a high.
“I suppose it’s not the easiest thing and it does bring a bit of stress, but I’ve got a really supportive wife and she looks after the kids and everything like that. She makes that as easy as possible for me.
MOST READ IN RUGBY LEAGUE
“We’re both really excited about the move, but she knows that I’ve got a job to do here first for Saints. The last thing I’d want is for people to think that I was already looking to next year and had one eye on that.
“That’s definitely not the case. I’ll deal with that when I get over there.”
Saints will have to do it the hard way if they are to win the Grand Final.
Finishing fifth means they will be on the road in the play-offs, starting with Saturday’s eliminator at Leeds, where they won 6-0 in the regular season.
Listen to some, though, and you may think 2025 has been a disaster and boss Wellens should go.
However, as the 28-year-old knows, getting to Old Trafford, particularly winning there, can change everything.
He added: “Obviously there are some things that are out of order. That’s what you’ve got to deal with as a coach or a player, you’re never going to get rid of that.
“Paul doesn’t feel sorry for himself and I don’t feel sorry for me, but he knows it’s going to be a tough job because the expectations are so high.
“There’s plenty of pressure that we put on ourselves. We understand the pressure that comes with playing for St Helens.
“There have been times we’ve been really good and times we haven’t – but the pressure is a privilege.
“There have been times we’ve met our standards and times we haven’t either. So, I think the criticism is fair.
“We know what to expect. That’s what happens when you play for a top club. So, the beauty of coming into the play-offs is win a couple of games, get to a grand final.
“All that this year will be forgotten about. Even better, obviously, if we can go on and win it.
“Defence is key at this stage of the season, defence will win you competitions. That’s the platform and the foundation.
“That’s when players like Jack Welsby, Johnny Lomax, Tristan Sailor, will have those couple of chances.
“It’s whether they come up with those moments and take them. That’s what big games are decided on.
“And the plan isn’t for me to ride off to Australia. Hopefully I’ve got another three weeks with the lads and get to pull on that shirt again a few more times.”
