Roosters second-rower Chris Smith is to join the Bulldogs for the remainder of the 2018 season as a replacement for Raymond Faitala-Mariner who has suffered a season-ending posterior cruciate knee injury, in addition to a broken hand, from New Zealand's loss to England in the Denver Test.

24 year-old Smith, who made his debut for the Panthers in 2015 and has added two matches with the Roosters over the past two seasons, was due to join the Bulldogs at the end of this season. That has now been brought forward to beat the June 30 deadline for switching clubs.

Smith, who has signed for the next two seasons, will offer additional depth to the Bulldogs in the back row.