He's spent hours poring over video footage of Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater.

He's studied the way the Queensland and Australian speed machine runs, mimicked his support play and scrutinised his defence. He's tried to glean anything he can from watching the man many regard as the world's best rugby league player.

Tomorrow at Canberra Stadium the 19-year-old fullback's studies will be put to the test, when he goes head to head with his idol for the first time.

He'll see first hand just how fast, elusive and skilful Slater really is. If he hasn't done his homework properly he knows Slater will rip his game apart.

But Dugan hasn't even considered failing in his bid to out-play a man who debuted for the Storm while he was still in primary school.

He thrives on challenges and sees this as one of the biggest.

''He was one of my idols growing up and I base a lot of the stuff I do from watching him and how he plays,'' Dugan said. ''So it will be good to come up against him.

''I've watched a lot of his support play and his double efforts where he can support up the middle and then get out the back and spin across to the other half of the field and get to a kick.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times