Parr has played off the bench in all 12 games for the Bulls this season, and gets his chance to make an immediate impact at Harris Park as the ladder leaders deal with plenty of injury problems.

Cameron Copeland comes out of the side with a hand injury, providing Parr with his shot in the number 10 jumper.

The 31-year-old is looking to make the most of it.

"It's surprising but I'll try and do what I can on my end and try not to let the team down," Parr said.

"It's been a long time between drinks but it is a strong side and it has been since I've returned.

"The club is in a different position to when I last played, they were building the club when I first come along and now they are enjoying the rewards of the work they put in all those years ago.

"It's a hard side to crack."

It is the first time the front rower has started for club since 2008, the end of a three-year stint before time in Bathurst and Hay.

Parr is midway through his fourth season back at the club.

He came off the bench in their 2017 premiership success but didn't play a game in the top grade last season and instead helped reserve grade to a second premiership.

He knows he's in for a challenge up against the Blues.

"They are a big pack so we will certainly have to try and match them to have a chance of winning," Parr said.

"(Injuries) makes it a little bit more challenging but we've got a pretty successful reserve grade side, as well as the under 19s, so the players coming in are certainly more than capable of playing first grade."

Coach Kyle McCarthy is confident he can step up to the mark.

"I thought he was our best player against Coota," McCarthy said.

"He was really good, bent the line every time he run, offloaded and created a lot of second phase play so it's a well deserved start for the big fella."

Ben Lucas is back at five-eighth to replace Nathan Rose for the clash between the top three teams.

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However it isn't all bad news on the injury front with Tim Hurst and Nick Skinner both returning to take on the big Blues pack.

Skinner has been named at lock with cousin Luke McBeath unavailable with work commitments while Hurst has overcome a ribs complaint and will start in the second row.

The Blues have made some changes of their own.

Co-coach Dean Bristow returns to fullback after missing the last two weeks with a hamstring complaint while Todd Broad also returns to five-eighth but they've lost winger Josh Webb.