And being part of this NRL finals fever is one of the reasons he joined the Green Machine.

Raiders boss Don Furner showed James around town on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of his move to the ACT later in the year.

The former Gold Coast captain was doing some reconnaissance ahead of his move for the pre-season, checking out schools - his eldest is five - and what suburbs to live.

While the Apollo bubble meant he couldn't catch up with his future teammates, James did get a feel for a Raiders-mad Canberra.

"It's [one of] the kid's first year at school next year and different areas where we're going to live and getting a feel for the area," he told The Canberra Times.

"It's really grown since the last time I was down here ... it's good to see people around just love the Raiders.

"It's a bit different to the Gold Coast how the last month or so everyone's gotten behind the team, but you just have that feel down here everyone just loves them."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

James has switched to Green Machine pastures to put a bad injury run behind him after 144 NRL games over 11 seasons with the Titans.

He's also hoping to be part of a Raiders finals campaign, like the one his future teammates begin against the Cronulla Sharks in the elimination final at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

James won't be at the game, having already returned to his home on the Gold Coast where he'll continue his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction.

How far the Raiders progress in the NRL finals will determine exactly when he'll begin pre-season, but even if that's not until January he'll arrive before Christmas.

"Yeah that's it - the Raiders are always up and around [the finals] and hopefully I can just add to that," James said.

"It's starting to get a bit more real and excited now and can't wait after this little trip."

James was looking forward to working with a pack that's already one of the best in the NRL, but - given the young age of a lot of them - has the potential to be even better.

Such is the depth that only a heartbreaking injury to Ryan Sutton (knee) saved Raiders coach Ricky Stuart a tough selection headache.

That was with Corey Horsburgh (foot) and Emre Guler (ankle) already sidelined for the rest of the season.

Not to mention working with four-time Mal Meninga Medallist Josh Papalii, who shared the award with Jack Wighton on Tuesday.

"I used to play against Papa at school and always kept a pretty good relationship with him so it's good to come down and be able to hopefully play alongside someone like that," James said.

"And Jackie Wighton as well - I played with him in all the All Stars and got to know him a fair bit over the years. He's a really good person.

"They both won it the other night and deservedly so - they've both had really good seasons.

"They're starting to really build such a strong team. And all the young forwards coming through as well - they're definitely building for a great team in the future."

NRL ELIMINATION FINAL

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks, 5.40pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jarrod Croker (c) 4. Jordan Rapana 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Sia Soliola 16. Hudson Young 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Kai O'Donnell 20. Michael Oldfield 21. Matt Timoko.

Sharks quad: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Connor Tracey 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf. Interchange: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Andrew Fifita 17. Jack Williams. Reserves: 18. Teig Wilton 19. Braydon Trindall 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Bryson Goodwin.