Stuart set to drop Raiders duo for round one

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said he was unlikely to pick forwards Corey Horsburgh and Corey Harawira-Naera in round one after they were recently involved in off-field incidents.

Stuart said while the pair will both have their day in court, he added they had ultimately left their positions in the top 17 in severe jeopardy.

Horsburgh will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on February 23 to face a charge of low-range drink-driving over an alleged incident on Christmas Eve.

Harawira-Naera will also appear in the ACT Magistrates Court – he has been charged with high-range drink-driving over an alleged incident on Christmas Day. He is due to appear on March 25.

"It is disappointing but it's not my job to be keeping their spot in the 17," Stuart said on Thursday.

"That's their job and they've made it harder for themselves. They're upset with themselves and have put themselves on the back foot.

"They know it was a bad choice. I've left it, they've got their court cases pending.

"We've got others in the footy team I've got to try get ready for game one. It won't be a disturbance. There will be somebody else there to take their spot.

"We've got plenty of depth and it just gives somebody else an opportunity."

Stuart's options in the forward pack to replace the duo includes new recruit Ryan James and Emre Guler, who have both overcome injuries.

Englishman Ryan Sutton is also among those who will be pushing for a spot in round one. 

The Raiders coach will get a better indication of where his squad is at when the club hosts the Roosters in their only pre-season trial at Seiffert Oval on February 27.

"We keep changing our off-seasons up and are always looking to keep adding and finding that extra one percent," Stuart said.

"Where these guys have given themselves an advantage is that they did work away on their break.

"This is the stage of the off-season now they're excited that footy is around the corner."