Josh Dugan will make his NRL debut on Monday night against the North Queensland Cowboys after winning selection at fullback for the Canberra Raiders.
Dugan replaces David Milne in the side after a string of strong showings for the Raiders under-20s side.
He becomes the third player from the Toyota Cup team to debut in 2009 after Jarrod Croker and Travis Waddell earned game time in the past two weeks.
Dugan's selection, along with Adrian Purtell's recall on the wing at the expense of Brett Kelly, means coach David Furner will start with a different back five for the fourth week in a row.
Dugan has been a dominant force for the under-20s since the inception of the competition last year.
He was outstanding in the Raiders' charge to the Toyota Cup premiership, and was rewarded with the Jack Gibson Medal for best on ground in the grand final.
Dugan was unavailable for comment yesterday, with all Raiders players enjoying a rest day.
But Raiders assistant coach Ian Millward said the call-up to first grade was just reward for the Tuggeranong junior.
''He's an exciting prospect,'' Millward said.
''He's been playing really well for a number of weeks now, and his good form warrants his selection.
''I think everyone is excited about the way he'll perform this week.''
Millward said Dugan's promotion to first grade was more a reflection of how well the 18-year-old was playing rather than Milne's poor form.
''Sometimes when a player is dropped it's not because he's playing bad,'' he said.
''We've got the situation where a young kid is playing very well, he's got a high quality of skill, and he's probably been a bit more consistent I'm sure Dave will bounce back he's well respected within the club and I just think Josh has got the jump on him at the moment.
''Josh deserved his opportunity, you've got to remember there is not much between a win and a loss and we think he can help us in that area.''
Raiders captain Alan Tongue also returns to the side after missing the Parramatta clash with a shoulder injury.
Furner has resisted the temptation to rush back big prop Scott Logan for Monday night.
Millward said the Raiders player of the year hadn't even been cleared by the medical staff yet.
''He has only just started training with the side again late last week,'' he said.
''It was a pretty major injury, I think probably he and Dane Tilse were about the same and Dane is still a couple of weeks away so he's ahead of schedule.
''But whether he makes it on Monday night is a big question mark.
''Monday is a long time away.
''At the moment we've picked a team that we can train with this week, a team we can settle on and take a performance out of last week with.''
Young hooker Waddell has been named at 18th man for the match against the Cowboys after making his debut against the Eels last Saturday night.
Millward said the coaching staff would leave it until Monday to decide whether to give Waddell another chance or run with a heavy bench.
MONDAY
NRL round four: Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys at Canberra Stadium, 7pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports2. Tickets at the gate or through Ticketek.
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