Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes will resist the temptation to blood boom youngster Ben Barba in the NRL top grade, the veteran mentor claiming it would be "criminal" to do so.

The Bulldogs slumped to a disastrous 58-18 loss to Canberra at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, their already packed casualty ward receiving a couple of new additions with Nick Kouparitsas (ankle) and Tim Winitana (concussion) unable to finish the contest.

Despite the lack of numbers Folkes said he would not hand Barba a debut despite his sensational Toyota Cup form continuing on Saturday with four tries, taking his season tally to competition-best 19 touchdowns in just 13 games.

"While there's a couple of those young guys (in the under 20s) going well, the difference between 20s and NRL is too significant for them to come across," said Folkes, who admitted his club didn't have enough first graders to fill an NRL side.

"I know Ben Barba scored four tries today and I know there'll be calls for him, all the niff nuffs on our kennel website will get in there and want to pick him.

"But I'd be doing him a dis-service. He's not ready for first grade football and to pick him would be criminal.

"I'll certainly be resisting that temptation, I'll be leaving him in the 20s where he's doing great, but he's not ready for first grade."

The biggest question marks over Barba seem to be over his defensive ability, but given the turnstile defence exhibited by Joe Williams, it's debatable whether Barba could do any worse.

Williams was targeted by Canberra's edge runners all night, Colin Best having a field day with the former Souths and Penrith halfback coming up with a team-high seven missed tackles.

The Bulldogs came up with a combined 52 missed tackles, and allowed 12 line breaks, the most conceded by a side this season.

The only joy on the injury front would seem to be the likely return of Sonny Bill Williams for Friday night's clash against the Sydney Roosters, the likes of Luke Patten, Chris Armit and Matt Utai still a few weeks away.

"Sonny (is a) possibly but I think we lost another couple tonight," Folkes said.

"It doesn't get any better. People will see that as an excuse, but it's not an excuse, it's a reason and it's a legitimate reason and there's nothing we can do about it."

It was all smiles for the Raiders, who not only claimed the vital two competition points but also gave their dismal points differential a much-needed boost.

Even the prognosis on injured halfback Todd Carney was better than first thought.

"I iced it up (Saturday) night and relaxed it all (Saturday) night, woke up (Sunday) morning and it felt alright," Carney said of his ankle problem.

"I walked around pretty freely and haven't had any sharp pains. The doctor said it was probably 60-40 in my favour."

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