Josh Hodgson backs Corey Horsburgh to fly on Canberra Raiders return

Horsburgh was convicted, fined $500 and had his licence disqualified for three months over a drink-driving incident that occurred on Christmas Day last year.

The Raiders forward had 10 or 11 alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel and being caught over the limit by police, later telling reporters outside the ACT Magistrates Court that "what I did was wrong".

Now that the legal matter is finalised, Horsburgh is likely to face a financial penalty from the Raiders and NRL Integrity Unit.

Horsburgh has been cleared to play in this Saturday's trial against the Sydney Roosters at Seiffert Oval, with Hodgson saying the 23-year-old is eager to put the incident behind him.

It'll be his first hit-out since suffering a Lisfranc foot injury in the Raiders' golden-point loss to the Parramatta Eels in June.

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"I imagine [he wants to put it behind him]. He'll be itching to get played," Hodgson said. "He's such a good lad, Corey, and has shown everyone down here that he's a good kid.

"We all make mistakes in life, he's a young boy that made a mistake. Mistakes don't make you a bad person, he's certainly not a bad person. He's a great kid and we love him here at the club.

"He'll get through this and be back flying - he's a fantastic player, a future Queenslander I can guarantee. He's got that bit about him. I've been around for a while, I've seen some kids play and he can play."

Horsburgh is among a number of Raiders making their comeback from injury this weekend, with Hodgson, Emre Guler and Bailey Simonsson named in Ricky Stuart's 32-man squad.

The returning Raiders co-captain has been impressed by the club's new additions and young guns this pre-season, saying they'll be plenty pushing to make the match-day roster this year.

"There's a few [to look out for] to be honest, they've had a good off-season," Hodgson said.

"Seb Kris, who left midway through last year and came back, he's had a fantastic off-season. Harley Smith-Shields has really impressed me, he's another one who has been fantastic.

"Matt Timoko, again who got a couple of games for us last year, he's been really good. Big Corey Horsburgh and Emre after a longtime out look strong and certainly hard to handle.

"There's a fair few there's quite a few boys that will be certainly pushing for games this year."

New recruits Ryan James, Caleb Aekins and Harry Rushton will also feature in the trial match.

Meanwhile, the round-12 clash between the Raiders and Roosters on May 29 has been relocated from Perth Oval to Central Coast Stadium due to state border uncertainty.

NRL PRESEASON TRIALS

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at 4pm; Canberra Raiders v North Sydney Bears at 2pm. Both games at Seiffert Oval.

Canberra Raiders NRL trial squad: Caleb Aekins, Elijah Anderson, Adam Cook, Matt Frawley, Emre Guler, Siliva Havili, Josh Hodgson, Albert Hopoate, Corey Horsburgh, Ryan James, Seb Kris, Dunamis Lui, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Kai O'Donnell, Josh Papalii, Jordan Rapana, Harry Rushton, Curtis Scott, Harley Smith-Shields, Bailey Simonsson, Sia Soliola, Tom Starling, Ryan Sutton, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Matt Timoko, Semi Valemei, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton, George Williams, Sam Williams, Hudson Young.

Canberra Raiders NSW Cup trial squad: Caleb Aekins, Elijah Anderson, Adam Cook, Matt Frawley, Emre Guler, Siliva Havili, Albert Hopoate, Corey Horsburgh, Ryan James, Seb Kris, Dunamis Lui, Keaton Meads, Darby Medlyn, Brigham Moeakiola, Kai O'Donnell, Harry Rushton, Brad Schneider, Curtis Scott, Bailey Simonsson, Harley Smith-Shields, Tom Starling, Ryan Sutton, Leo Thompson, Matt Timoko, Adrian Trevilyan, Semi Valemei, Sam Williams.