Dale Copley’s experience has won him an NRL call-up ahead of another youngster Dane Gagai to replace injured Brisbane winger Jharal Yow Yeh against St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Impressive back-rower Matt Gillett has forced his way into coach Anthony Griffin’s starting pack against the Dragons on the back of a match-turning performance off the bench against South Sydney in Perth last weekend.

Copley, who has played 23 NRL games, will renew his partnership on the left wing outside Jack Reed while Gerard Beale, who scored two tries in the comeback win against the Rabbitohs, will swap to the right side with Justin Hodges.

Gillett’s promotion pushes Ben Te’o back to the bench where he will be used as an impact player.

Brisbane, who have had some memorable battles with the Dragons including last season’s one-point win through a Darren Lockyer field goal, had a ball session at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday morning and will train again on Thursday morning.

Veteran prop Petero Civoniceva said while Brisbane had battled Souths’ monster pack last weekend, he believed the Dragons’ forwards were still the NRL’s benchmark.

Brisbane: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Dale Copley, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Petero Civoniceva, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday (capt), Matt Gillett. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Josh McGuire, Ben Te’o, Scott Anderson.