Brett Morris

Morris will take over the Bulldogs' fullback role for Sunday's NRL elimination final against Penrith from Hopoate, who will sit out the match due to his religious beliefs.

NSW and Australian representative Morris starred at the back for the Bulldogs last year in his move from St George Illawarra. However he hasn't played in the No.1 jersey since.

Morris has been in scintillating form since returning from a long-term knee injury in Round 16, scoring nine tries in seven games including a double on Thursday night in a golden point win against Manly that shored up his team's top-four hopes.

Morris – one of the heroes of NSW's 2014 series win – would have been an absolute certainty for all three games this year if fit but has only just returned from a long-term knee injury and would have just two games under his belt in nine months if picked for Origin III.

Speaking after his hat-trick heroics in his return game against Brisbane on Saturday night, Morris shut down any talk of an Origin recall.