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When it comes to consistent performers, it's hard to go past Knights winger James McManus.

From his sheer effort to his unquestionable reliability, McManus is one of the competition's most dependable players. 

So when star rookie Jake Mamo credits the flying Scotsman's advice for helping him rise to the NRL ranks, you know he is in extremely good hands.

"Jimmy has been helping me ever since we started pre-season," Mamo told Knights TV after his top grade debut against Brisbane last Friday. 

"He is a fellow winger, he is always safe and he is a NSW State of Origin representative.

"He has just helped me a long to this point.

"That’s the main thing that Wayne (Bennett) wants is a safe player and I think I got through with no errors so I was happy with that."

Mamo may not have got the win on debut, but he was pleased with his first up performance in the top grade.

The Gosford-born speedster played 80 minutes and made 17 runs for 115 metres with 2 tackle breaks.  

"I was happy to make my NRL debut," he enthuses.

"We obviously didn’t get the result we wanted, but that’s life.

"Well first kick of the game, they put a bomb up to my corner and I was a little bit sketchy and gave it a bit of a juggle.

"That was just nerves I think, but then I got into the game after that."

Mamo has no doubts he'll get better with more exposure to the NRL ranks in the coming weeks.

"I definitely learnt a lot though and really I can only go up from here," he says.

"I think the step up from 20s to first grade is that there is nowhere to hide.

"Everyone is just putting big hits on, but I'm happy with how I went and I'll only improve."

It's a challenge for Mamo that starts with a bumper clash against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.