Starling comes onto the Raiders bench for their crucial clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, helping to fill the hole left by England star Josh Hodgson (thumb).

At 170 centimetres tall, he's the equal shortest player in the NRL - alongside Brisbane rake James Segeyaro, although Segeyaro has a four-kilogram advantage with his 86kg frame.

Newcastle coach Brown gave Starling his NRL debut last year against St George Illawarra.

He's seen him come up through the Knights' ranks. Each time wondering if he'd be able to handle the step up in grade.

Each time Starling has answered with an emphatic "yes". From under-18s to under-20s to reserve grade.

A lack of opportunities meant leaving Newcastle for Canberra was in Starling's best interests and he'll get his first chance for the Green Machine as Siliva Havili's understudy.

"In a game where people have got a lot, lot bigger how he can physically put himself there in whatever grade it is and keep physically coming up just shows his heart's as big as his body," Brown told The Canberra Times.

"His commitment and courage won't let him down I can assure you that."

Raiders fans have already had a glimpse of what Starling can produce.

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He darted out of dummy half to score a try in Canberra's trial against the Parramatta Eels earlier this year.

Now he'll get his chance off the bench as Havili assumes the main hooking duties following Hodgson's injury, for which he had surgery on Thursday.

Hodgson's expected to be out for 6-8 weeks, giving Starling an extended run in the Green Machine.

"When he's carrying the ball he's quite sharp. He's got really good speed out of dummy half and he's a real threat," Brown said.

"He's a typical little hooker. He's got that cheek and spunk about him."

Raiders half Aidan Sezer breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Starling's name in the team, knowing it meant he wouldn't have to shift to the middle.

"I was, I was panicking a bit there, hopefully I didn't play nine again," he laughed.

"It's just one of those things that I'll be better for the experience last year.

"Tommy's a class player and he's got a lot of talent so hopefully he plays well and does himself and the boys proud."

NRL ROUND 12

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, 7.35pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Michael Oldfield, 6. Aidan Sezer, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Hudson Young. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Ryan Sutton. Reserves: 18. Ata Hingano, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Andre Niko, 21. John Bateman.

Bulldogs squad: 1. Nick Meaney, 2. Christian Crichton, 3. Marcelo Montoya, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Ofahiki Ogden, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Chris Smith. Interchange: 14. Rhyse Martin, 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 16. Danny Fualalo, 17. Jesse Sue. Reserves: 19. Michael Lichaa, 20. Lachlan Lewis, 21. Kerrod Holland, 23. Adam Elliott.