Hayden Buchanan is yet another Gerringong Lions junior who is close to making his NRL debut with St George Illawarra.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has included Buchanan in the 20-man squad for this Saturday's WIN Stadium match-up against Canberra.

Buchanan has been named among the reserves for the first time in his career after crafting an impressive Knock-On Effect NSW Cup campaign this year.

His former Gerringong teammate, rookie forward Hamish Stewart, has been named on the interchange bench.

Another Lions product, second-rower Dylan Egan, made his debut earlier this season before suffering a serious knee injury.

It has been a bumper year for Gerringong with young halfback Ashton Ward getting his first taste of NRL action for South Sydney last Saturday, playing the final 23 minutes of their narrow loss to Cronulla in Gosford.

Buchanan could be a late inclusion between now and game day if there is an injury or if Flanagan decides to tinker with his line-up.

The 19-year-old centre was signed by the Dragons four years ago and played up an age group in Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball before earning his first call-up to the NRL training sqaud at 17.

He helped NSW win an Under 19s Origin match over Queensland despite also being a year younger than the cut-off mark.

Buchanan was given a glimpse of NRL intensity at the start of the year when he took part in the trial wins over South Sydney and the Roosters before lining up in 14 NSW Cup matches for St George Illawarra leading into this week's NRL call-up.

With Maroons centre Valentine Holmes and winger Sione Finau out for the rest of the season due to shoulder injuries, there's a fair chance Buchanan will get to make his NRL debut at some stage in the final six rounds.

Flanagan has been forced to make changes to his pack for the rumble with the Raiders.

Former Queensland forward Jaydn Su’A (knee) is unlikely to play again this season after he was on the end of a hip-drop tackle during last week's loss to North Queensland.

Michael Molo will slot into the second row for Su'A with veteran forward Hame Sele added to the interchange.

Blake Lawrie has been relegated to the interchange with Emre Guler returning to the starting side at prop.

The Dragons have dropped to 12th on the ladder with a 6-12 record after their 38-32 loss to the Cowboys and are just two points ahead of last-placed South Sydney in the race to avoid the wooden spoon.

They face a daunting task trying to bring down the Green Machine who are riding high at the top of the ladder on the back of a nine-game winning streak.

In the NRLW, the Dragons will be without Teagan Berry (suspension) and Kasey Reh (head knock) when they take on the Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium at Magic Round on Sunday.

After thumping Canberra in Round 1, they have lost three on the trot, including a 30-6 defeat at the hands of Brisbane in Wollongong last Sunday.