The Des Hasler-coached Canterbury hit its first hurdle on Sunday falling 28-16 in an NRL trial to the Sydney Roosters at Belmore Sports Ground.

Playing a near full-strength team for the second half, minus captain Michael Ennis and halfback Trent Hodkinson, the Bulldogs conceded second-half tries to Justin Carney, Tinirau Arona and Daniel Mortimer.

Hasler waited until the halftime break before introducing his strongest line-up while his opposite Brian Smith rotated his first-graders before finishing off with his strongest unit in the final 20 minutes.

The final quarter of the match gave Bulldogs fans their first glimpse at English import James Graham and the burly prop looks set to make an immediate impact on the NRL, having produced some impressive runs.

Right on halftime, Roosters halfback Mark Kheirallah sliced through frenzied goal-line defence on the back of a 50-metre bust by Carney which led to the Roosters taking a four-point lead into the break.

Earlier Roosters youngster Daniel Tupou had given the visitors the lead before the Bulldogs’ Tupou Sopaga hit back.

Bulldogs centre Jonathon Wright scored a consolation try with two minutes to go.