Hitchins formed part of the Queanbeyan Kangaroos front row last year, but a night with ex-Canberra Raider Terry Campese sowed the seeds to make the switch to the Queanbeyan Blues.

He'll find out the full consequences of that decision when he plays his first Queanbeyan derby in a Blues jersey at Seiffert Oval on Saturday.

When the blood lust is up and the pride of 2620 is on the line.

It all began with a chat to Campese, the Blues captain-coach, who Hitchins sat next to at Canberra Raiders Cup presentation night last year.

He was there supporting his partner Kasey Dragisic, who was starring for the Blues.

"She didn't want me to go ... but she's OK about it now," Hitchins said.

"I sat with Campo at the awards night when I went to watch Kasey and just got chatting. Just wanted a change and there it was."

But it wasn't just Hitchins that the Blues picked up. His cousin, another cousin and some of the "Cooma boys" also signed up.

And they got off to a winning start in light blue, thrashing Belconnen United 50-12 in round one.

"There's a few Cooma boys up this year. My cousin Corey [Thomas] has come up and 'Chirper' [Steve Mclean] have come up as well," Hitchins said.

"I've also roped my other little cousin from rugby union to come and play for us. An all family affair at the Blues at the moment."

CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP ROUND TWO

Saturday: Gungahlin Bulls v West Belconnen Warriors at Gungahlin Enclosed, 3pm; Queanbeyan Blues v Queanbeyan Kangaroos at Seiffert Oval, 3pm; Belconnen United Sharks v Woden Valley Rams at O'Connor, 3.30pm.

Sunday: Goulburn Bulldogs v Yass Magpies at Goulburn, 2.15pm.