Young Raiders star to make NRL debut

Toyota Cup star Josh Dugan will get his chance to shine at Canberra Stadium on Monday night, when he makes his NRL debut for the CFMEU Canberra Raiders against the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Green Machine will also welcome back inspirational skipper Alan Tongue this weekend as he returns from a shoulder injury, while Adrian Purtell gets a chance to come back into the side after being dropped for last weeks Parramatta match.

The inclusion of Dugan and Purtell in the Raiders backline comes at the expense of David Milne and Brett Kelly, who will now line up for Souths Logan this weekend.

Skipper Tongue will take his place in the Raiders scrum in his usual position of lock on Monday night, with rookie hooker Travis Waddell the 18th man for the match.

Raiders Assistant Coach Ian Millward said Dugan gets his chance to make his debut after some outstanding form at Toyota Cup level, while Purtell also gets his chance after an impressive two try effort for Souths Logan last weekend.