Bulldogs blood youth against Raiders

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has picked Nick Kouparitsas to make his NRL debut against the Raiders this Monday at Telstra Stadium at 3:00pm.

Kouparitsas joins Billy Ngawini, Ben Czislowski and Dallas McIlwain in a completely new bench, as the Bulldogs have lost four players to Origin duty - Mason, Ryan, O'Meley and Myles.

Further changes to the team that beat the Knights last week include Reni Maitua moving from the centres to lock; Brad Morrin moving from the bench to starting second row; Tony Grimaldi moving from lock to second row; Cameron Phelps moving from the wing to the centres; Matt Utai returning from suspension; and Trent Cutler dropping back to Premier League.

Ironically, Kouparitsas was born in Canberra and played all his junior football in the area.

Squad: Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Sonny Bill Williams, Cameron Phelps, Matt Utai, Daniel Holdsworth, Brent Sherwin, Chris Armit, Corey Hughes, Roy Asotasi, Brad Morrin, Tony Grimaldi (c), Reni Maitua Interchange: Billy Ngawini, Ben Czislowski, Nick Kouparitsas, Dallas McIlwain