NRL Market Watch: Dolphins target English forward Morgan Knowles, Dragons sign Emre Guler

Kristian Woolf is in the hunt for a Super League star he won three premierships with, as the Dolphins’ hopes of landing Parramatta star Dylan Brown dwindle. See the latest transfer news.

The Dolphins have gone global in their search for new talent with an England Test star weighing up a move to Australia as the Redcliffe club’s chances of snaring Dylan Brown dwindled.

English forward Morgan Knowles is in talks with the Dolphins about a potential switch to the NRL.

Knowles, 28, was part of the St Helens team that won three straight Super League premierships from 2020-22 under new Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf.

Woolf is now in charge of the Dolphins and looking to lure his former protégé to Australia for a crack at the world’s best rugby league competition.

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader confirmed the club’s interest in Knowles.

“Woolfy coached him and they won three premierships together at St Helens,” he said.

“He wants to test himself in the NRL.

“There is interest to talk to him but that’s where it is at the moment.

“We are always interested in good players, especially if they want to play for us.

“We’ll have a chat and see what happens.”

St Helens star Morgan Knowles is in talks with the Dolphins about a possible switch to the NRL. Picture: St Helens Instagram

While the Dolphins are in the mix for Knowles, they believe Parramatta playmaker Brown won’t be making a move north.

Brown is weighing up his future at the Eels after his management called for expressions of interest in the Kiwi Test five-eighth beyond 2025.

Brown has an option in his eight-year contract that allows him to quit Parramatta at the end of this year.

The Dolphins have been sounded out about their interest in Brown, but believe he will be staying put in Sydney.

“Dylan Brown is contracted to Parramatta for seven years on a salary over $1 million and I can’t see him leaving Parramatta,” Reader said.

“We’ve had no formal chats with him.

“The way we’ve managed our salary cap, our biggest focus is re-signing the players we have. We’ve got a few players coming off-contract.

“When you look at the players in our spine, we’re very comfortable with who we’ve got and our priority is to re-sign those guys.”

The Dolphins hopes of landing Eels star Dylan Brown have dwindled. Picture: Getty Images

The Dolphins announced a new partnership with grooming brand Wahl on Wednesday ahead of their third season in the NRL.

Returning Origin forward Tom Gilbert has been added to the club’s leadership group by Woolf as he closes in on the Dolphins’ captaincy.

“We’ve got some wonderful candidates,” Reader said.

“That’s something that’s been talked about but we’re going to get through the trials and see how the guys come together.

“We’ve got a wonderful leadership group and the captain will come from that group.

“Tom’s a wonderful leader and does that when he’s on the field.

“The biggest thing to worry about with Tom is getting him on the field. We’ll be happy to see Tom playing football.”

DRAGONS SIGN RAIDERS FORWARD AS RECRUITMENT DRIVE CONTINUES

—David Riccio

The most intriguing recruitment drive of the 2025 pre-season continues to rumble with St George Illawarra signing talented Canberra prop Emre Guler, effective immediately.

Bringing experience and depth to the Dragons forward pack, Guler has signed a two-year deal until the end of 2026.

With only three weeks until the Dragons’ first pre-season trial match against the Sydney Roosters on February 16, Guler, who has played 93 NRL games, is expected to join his new club for training on Tuesday.

“I’ve said consistently we need to bring another experienced middle into our roster for 2025,” Dragons Head Coach Shane Flanagan said.

The Dragons have signed Emre Guler from the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

“Emre certainly fits that bill. With his size and experience he will add plenty of value to our roster as well as help to mentor our emerging crop of middle forwards.”

Guler will link with fellow Dragons 2025 season recruits Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, Valentine Holmes and Lachlan Ilias.

A member of the Raiders’ 2019 grand final team, Guler required a release from his 2025 contract at Canberra in order to link with Saints.

With a powerful prop rotation of Josh Papali’i, Joseph Tapine, Corey Horsburgh, Morgan Smithies, Ata Moriata, Pasami Saulo and Trey Mooney, the Raiders gave Guler the green light to join the Dragons.

With his size and capable footwork, the former Junior Kangaroos prop is a valuable signing by Saints, particularly with the club dealing with uncertainty over the future of prop Francis Molo, who has stopped training as he contemplates his future in the game.

Flanagan had been scouring the NRL for further experience and depth in his forward pack, which included discussions with journeyman prop Matt Lodge.

Flanagan has instead chosen Guler, who has always shown promise and at 27, is aiming to rediscover the form that saw him become a regular member of Ricky Stuart’s 2023 season forward pack.

The Dragons’ acquisition of Guler also allows Flanagan to take a patient approach to the blooding of several talented young forwards including Loko Jr Pasifiki Tonga, Finau Latu and Hamish Stewart.

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Dolphins target English forward Morgan Knowles, Dragons sign Emre Guler