Raider James' sights set on NRL premiership

And he's joined the Canberra Raiders with one goal - to win an NRL premiership.

James said he'll play whatever role Raiders coach Ricky Stuart wants him to to achieve that.

Saturday marked 12 months since his second knee reconstruction and the former Gold Coast Titans captain was excited to be back.

Even just taking part in scrimmages at training had the 29-year-old buzzing.

He hasn't played since the Titans' round six match against Newcastle in 2019, but will be in the mix for the Raiders' pre-season trial against the Sydney Roosters at Seiffert Oval on Saturday.

"The knee's good. I get signed off [Saturday], that's 12 months since surgery so officially I can play some footy," James said.

"It's been a long time, it's coming on two years now, but the way I'm training and the way I'm feeling I'm ready to go.

"It's just one of those things where knees are how you feel and I'm definitely a lot more confident this time around."

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James played 144 NRL games for the Titans and captained the club before making the switch to Canberra.

He's joined one of the best forward packs in the NRL where competition for spots are rampant.

Stuart's going to have some hard selections to make whenever he has everyone available.

Elliott Whitehead and Hudson Young look the likely second-row pairing, with Joe Tapine at lock.

Josh Papalii's the undoubted leader of the pack, while Sia Soliola, Dunamis Lui, Ryan Sutton, Emre Guler, Corey Horsburgh, Corey Harawira-Naera, Siliva Havili and now James all have claims.

James said the depth meant he would no longer be an 80-minute player - like he was on the Gold Coast.

"I just want to come back and play footy. I'm getting a bit older now so I want to win a comp," he said.

"It's good [the depth], it makes everyone fight for spots, which means you've got healthy competition in your team.

"That's what you need to push for those higher spots and they've been finishing pretty high the last couple of years.

"If you've got better players down beneath pushing everyone up top to play better then the club wins. We're all here to win a comp and that's everyone's dream."

James brings plenty of leadership along with his experience.

He spent four years as Titans captain and was on the verge of State of Origin selection when his injury woes began.

While he's not officially part of the Green Machine's leadership group, he'll still be a leader around the club.

"It's good, it's taken a little bit of stress off my back. We've got a great leadership group here and if I can just chime in everyone now and then and help some of the younger players, even talk to some of the older [ones]," James said.

NRL PRE-SEASON TRIAL

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Seiffert Oval, 4pm.