The Bulldogs are without Joe Picker, who smashed his eye socket and fractured his cheek bone in the clash against the West Belconnen Warriors in March.

Team regulars Blake Hewitt and Cody Medway also were casualties from the match with bruised ribs, but both are expected to return in the side.

Valuable front rower Luke Turner has had surgery on a shoulder injury.

Also missing in action are Nathan Chappell, who returned to England, and Jason Wells.

“I think as long as we can get into an arm wrestle, we can stay with them,” Dodson said.

“Belconnen are a bit of an unknown, but i mean we have a lot of good young guys who are ready like Chris and Zac Hart.”

Talking to the Post last week, coach Mick Picker said he also wasn’t phased by injuries.

“This gives the young guys a chance to step up,” Picker said.

“There’s plenty of them that would take full advantage of opportunities given to them. It makes it more competitive for spots.”

New recruit Ben Marmont is expected to replace Chappell in the centres, and South Coast recruit Sam Conlon is expected to fill one of the depleted ront row spots.

Fellow frontrower Matt Worboys, who had a breakout year last season, is also expected to start on field.

Youngster Chris Hart, who played SG Ball with the Canberra Raiders is a fresh face who is more than likely to make his debut on the wing.

Younger brother of Canberra Raider Mitch Cornish, Nicholas Cornish, is also in the mix for the half back position with Matt Paige.

“Joe looks set to miss the first few games of the season, and with Luke Turner also gone that takes out a lot of expereince,” club president Joe Stephens said.