Canberra prop Dane Tilse's long journey to redemption is complete, with his Raiders teammates electing him to their leadership group.

Tilse on Wednesday was named as one of a seven-strong group for 2011, his Raiders colleagues entrusting him to represent them to club management.

The 26-year-old infamously took the rap for a late-night rampage by Newcastle players through a student dormitory in Bathurst in early 2005, when he was sacked by the Knights and deregistered by the NRL for 12 months.

He resurrected his career at the Raiders in 2006, where he has excelled on and off the field, and is contracted until the end of next year.

"I think I've just grown on and off the field in the last six years, it's a long time ago now," he told AAP.

"I'm just happy to be in the group and I'm hoping I can make a difference.

"Not too much will change, I'll just go about my training as I have."

Described by the Raiders as the club's "heart and soul", the other six members of the senior group are co-captains Alan Tongue and Terry Campese, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington, Bronson Harrison and former Melbourne prop Brett White.

"For sure I've learnt from my mistake off the field and I probably let them know about a few of the pitfalls of drinking as a footballer," Tilse said.

"I've got a fair bit to let the young fellas know about."

Meanwhile, new signing Matt Orford is expected to be available for Canberra's trials after undergoing minor knee surgery.

The former Manly halfback is in rehabilitation but is likely to return to full training in the next couple of weeks.

Orford was finally released by English Super League club Bradford last week to help the Raiders overcome the long-term knee injury to Campese.

"It probably isn't hurting him sitting out at the moment," Tilse said of Orford.

"He's getting to know all our plays watching the sessions.

"He'll probably be able to step straight in and have a bit of input straight up."

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