Priest said it was tough watching from the sideline as the Raiders' 2016 finals campaign came to an end and he was using that as motivation going into the upcoming NRL season.

He will also use this Saturday's trial against the Newcastle Knights at Seiffert Oval to "really test" his leg and press his claims for round one against North Queensland in Townsville in 2½ weeks.

The 28-year-old broke his ankle at training in the lead-up to the Raiders' semi-final win over the Penrith Panthers, ending his 2016 campaign.

It drew the curtain on what had been a rags-to-riches story, having been brought up from NSW Cup side Mounties to not only make his NRL debut, but earn a contract as well.

He played for his old club Mounties in their pre-season trial last weekend, where he was a "bit rusty" and was looking for more minutes against the Knights.

"[The ankle is] good. It has it's days, don't get me wrong. It's been a long pre-season for me with plenty of ups and downs, but it's come along good now," Priest said.

"I'm in full training and trialled on the weekend and it felt good. I still have plenty of doubt in it at times.

"With a big injury like that you doubt yourself at times. I am pretty confident and moving forward this week it should be a good challenge for me.

"When I say doubt, I've broken my leg you know. There's a plate and screws in there and it's stronger than ever.

"That's just something you've got to understand in your mind ... sometimes you go into a bit of contact and you get a bit of doubt, but it's all mind over matter - nothing's going to happen to it."

Priest's first goal was to "get a full-time gig" in the XVII, after the Raiders bolstered their forwards depth over the off-season.

He doesn't feel like he's established himself at the Raiders yet and was mindful of allowing himself to feel comfortable.

Instead, his focus was on being an effective cog in the Green Machine as they push for a return to finals football.

"It was tough [watching the finals]. I was fortunate enough to go down to Melbourne with the boys and that was post op so I was in a bit of pain whilst I was down there," Priest said.

"But just to be a part of that and see the emotions that the boys went through that really gives a big push for moving forward into this year and I think a lot of the boys have the same mentality."

NRL PRE-SEASON TRIAL

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Seiffert Oval, 6.30pm. Tickets available at raiders.com.au.

Raiders squad: Eddie Aiono, Blake Austin, Luke Bateman, Shannon Boyd, Adam Clydsdale, Nick Cotric, Lachlan Croker, Thomas Cronan, Shaun Fensom, Josh Hodgson, Edrick Lee, Joey Leilua, Jeff Lima, Dunamis Lui, Makahesi Makatoa, Mark McCormack, Anthony Moraitis, Brent Naden, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo, Clay Priest, Jordan Rapana, Zac Santo, Aidan Sezer, Sia Soliola, Scott Sorensen, Joseph Tapine, Topi Taufa, Dave Taylor, Jordan Turner, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton.

Newcastle squad: 1. Dylan Phythian, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Peter Mata'utia, 5. Nathan Ross, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Trent Hodkinson, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Josh Starling, 11. Sione Mata'utia, 12. Jamie Buhrer, 13. Mitch Barnett. Interchange: 14. Luke Yates, 15. Jack Stockwell, 16. Sam Stone, 17. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 18. Brendan Elliot, 19. Will Pearsall, 22. Josh King, 23. Jacob Saifiti, 24. Chanel Mata'utia.