He played in a side beaten 36-12 but Bulldogs teenager Benjamin Barba was smiling like a winner after underlining his potential to be one of rugby league's stars of the future.

The Sonny Bill Williams drama that engulfed the Bulldogs last week was the furthest thing from Barba's mind when he made his starting debut against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Injured Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten had warned the Darwin-born Barba was "freakish" and his words rang true as the 19-year-old Mackay product created a huge impression in a losing side playing in the unfamiliar No.1 jumper.

There were touches of Matty Bowen and Preston Campbell about Barba's play although he was found out positionally a number of times.

After notching 29 tries in 17 Toyota Cup games, Patten was keen to see the teenager in action and Barba didn't disappoint.

He scored a spectacular try early in the second half in which he turned Cowboys fullback Ashley Graham inside out to notch the first of what will be many NRL tries.

If that wasn't enough, he pulled off a try-saving tackle, even if it cost his side a penalty, on Cowboys halfback Travis before setting up one of the tries of the season to cap a memorable night.

Showing lightning speed, Barba fielded a kick and took off down the right touch from deep in his own half before kicking ahead.

He then won the race to ball and somehow managed to pick it up centimetres from the sideline and stay in touch before tossing the ball in field for centre Andrew Emelio to dive over to complete a magic try.

Video referee Graeme West had a dozen looks to see if Barba had knocked on, stepped into touch or thrown a forward pass before eventually flashing up the green light.

"Scoring that try, that's been my dream to play in the NRL and score a try," said an excited Barba after the game.

"I'm just really happy."

Barba, who plays in the halves, said he would love to play more fullback.

"It's great, it gives you a lot more options and more room to run," he said.

"Luke (Patten) helped me out before the game but I've got a lot to work on, I know that myself."

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes, who hinted a few more players could get an opportunity to impress in coming weeks following the loss, enjoyed Barba's effort.

"He had some nice touches and some inexperienced touches as well," said a measured Folkes.

"Positionally, because he hasn't played a lot of fullback, he got caught out a few times on kicks.

"He scored a great try turning Ashley Graham inside out and sparked the last try as well.

"He's a certainly a player of the future."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP