The 21-year-old Goulburn product also says he's relaxed and confident ahead of the biggest year of his footballing life, determined to play for a new contract at Canberra and - ideally - stay at the club for the rest of his NRL career.

Cornish has praised coach Ricky Stuart's measured approach to his rookie NRL season this year, blooding him in six matches from the bench before starting him at halfback in the final two.

Stuart has told players no positions are guaranteed in 2015, with Cornish, Blake Austin, Josh McCrone and Sam Williams the most likely halves options.

"That's the number-one goal - to be the starting halfback come round one," Cornish said. "Obviously I've got some competition here. It's only driving me harder at training, it can only be healthy competition.

"One hundred per cent, [Stuart's] made it clear that no one's guaranteed this year and that's how everyone's training, like there's someone just in front of you or someone right behind you. The whole squad's looking good."

The Raiders recruited Austin after his breakout season at the Wests Tigers, the 23-year-old viewing the opportunity in Canberra to establish himself as a genuine NRL five-eighth.

Although Austin has played four NRL seasons with Penrith and the Tigers, he played 19 of his total 34 NRL games last season. He has filled every position in the backline, with only 15 NRL matches starting in the halves.

Combined with Cornish, it would represent the least experienced halves combination in the NRL.

But Cornish was excited by the prospect, comparing it to his combination with Anthony Milford, which led the Raiders to consecutive victories to finish 2014.

"He [Austin] has got that X-factor, that's something we need now that Milford left [to the Brisbane Broncos]," Cornish said.

"We do complement each other ... we've got different styles - he's a good runner of the footy and he's really tough, but he's also got that halves vision and a good kicking game. He plays right side, I play left, so if we're the halves next year I'm sure we'll go all right."

Cornish is off contract at the Raiders at the end of next season and Canberra is building a war chest to have a big crack in the player market for 2016.

Cornish, who is also due to become a father on December 27, said he wasn't feeling any extra pressure. He has gradually added more playing weight, to 86 kilograms, and he praised Stuart's calming influence on his development.

"Last year coming off the bench and then slowly coming into the starting side, I think that was the best way to do it and it's done wonders for my confidence coming into this pre-season," Cornish said.

"I'm not feeling pressure at the moment, Ricky's helped me with that. He puts near no pressure on you, confidence is a big thing in the halves role and if you haven't got it you won't play your best footy.

"He keeps you pretty level-headed but confident. Obviously he's one of the best halves that played the the game, me and the other halves are lucky to have him here to mentor us both with our game and mentally on how to prepare."

Cornish's manager Paul Sutton said it was too early to talk to the club about a possible extension, something Cornish is comfortable with.

"I'll leave [contract talks] to my manager and when the time's right he'll tell me or the club. I've just got to try and do my bit right first."

"That'd be a goal and a dream to be a one-club man here, it'd be pretty special, but time will tell."