Kai O'Donnell to make Canberra Raiders debut against Melbourne Storm

The 21-year-old has been named on an extended bench three times already this season, but will finally make the 17 at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

Raiders winger Jordan Rapana (calf) has also been named on the bench, forcing Curtis Scott out of the 17 after a tough few weeks.

Dunamis Lui comes straight back into the starting side, while youngster Darby Medlyn comes onto the extended bench.

O'Donnell's been brought in to help a middle-forward injury crisis in Canberra, with Corey Horsburgh (foot) and Sia Soliola (face) potentially out for the year, while Emre Guler (ankle) also faces up to 10 weeks on the sidelines.

They were already without John Bateman (shoulder), and have also lost Luke Bateman (retired), JJ Collins (retired) and Jack Murchie (Warriors).

O'Donnell will find out exactly what the NRL is all about, coming up against a powerful Storm pack boasting Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

He was determined not to let his new teammates down.

"I feel extremely honoured to get the opportunity to play with you boys. You've all been such a help to me to get to where I am," he told them when he learnt of his impending debut.

"All the coaching staff, putting in the extra hours. I won't let you down and I'll give it my best shot."

Stuart called on his entire squad to lift to help cover the losses.

Not just the rookies trying to make it in the NRL, but all his international and representative players as well - asking for them all to find another level in their games.

That starts against the Storm.

"With the long-term injuries ... it is going to provide a huge challenge to this squad and this club," Stuart said.

"We've got minimal middles left. We've got a couple of young blokes as rookies who have been training their arse off.

"Every time I look out of my window I see these rookies doing extras. I can see and I know they've done the work and that makes me very, very pleased.

"I'm going to be asking players to play out of position. I'm going to be asking middles to play extra minutes, and I'm asking you to take even further individual responsibility.

"It gives me such a special feeling when I'm introducing a new Raider to the squad. Raiders No.365. I want to congratulate Kai O'Donnell."

NRL ROUND NINE

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Kai O'Donnell, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Jordan Rapana. Reserves: 18. Tom Starling, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Darby Medlyn, 21. Curtis Scott.

Storm squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Marion Seve, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Paul Momirovski, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ryley Jacks, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 16. Tom Eisenhuth, 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Reserves: 18. Darryn Schonig, 19. Cameron Munster, 20. Brenko Lee, 21. Nicholas Hynes.