New Canberra Raiders recruit Ryan James has been working hard in the off-season

Few players will have put in more work this off-season than Canberra recruit Ryan James, and we’ve the pictures to prove it.

WEEKEND TELEGRAPHS SPECIAL. MUST TALK WITH PIC ED JEFF DARMANIN BEFORE PUBLISHING. Raiders forward Ryan James training out of a Gold Coast gym ahead of his move to Canberra for the 2021 season. MUST CREDIT Rik Conti

Check out the type of character you’ve signed, Raiders fans.

Determined, excited and in the fittest shape of his entire NRL career, Ryan James has arrived in Canberra on a mission.

He has endured three knee reconstructions over the past decade, but as these pictures show, the mindset of the 29-year-old is clear.

“I played 11 first-grade seasons at the Titans and played in one semi-final,’’ James, who missed the entire 2020 campaign after snapping his ACL at training last February, said.

“You play your whole career somewhere and you give your blood and sweat and it just doesn’t work out.

“Everyone’s goal is to win a premiership and I think the Raiders can do that in the next couple of years.’’

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Ryan James has dropped from his regular playing weight of 111kg. Picture: Rik Conti

Under the direction of Gold Coast gym owner Blake Morrision — who also personally trained Sonny Bill Williams last year — James ripped, pushed and pulled his body into shape prior to heading to Canberra three weeks ago for the biggest move of his NRL career.

The former Titans captain, Country Origin and Indigenous All Stars prop has linked with the Raiders on a cut-price two-year $400,000 deal.

James knocked back interest from the Roosters and Melbourne Storm to join Ricky Stuart’s Raiders.

At 29, the decision is career-defining for James, which is why after torturing himself at a gym on the Gold Coast, his first taste as a Raider was training over the last fortnight alongside the club’s under-21’s.

Ryan James training out of a Gold Coast gym ahead of his move to Canberra. Picture: Rik Conti

“When I left the Titans bubble, I had to keep my rehabilitation going and change of direction going and there was a gym on the Gold Coast called BMF,’’ James said.

“I became mates with the owner and he was training SBW last year, so he took us in and we did a four-week block.

“He (Morrison) got me into the best shape I’ve been in, if I’m being honest.

“I did a lot of stuff I haven’t done before and I just felt awesome.

“I’m at nine months (post-surgery) now. I can’t play until 12 months, but I feel like I could go out and play if I wanted to now.

“I should be ready to go for trials. It will be interesting to play the new game, it’s evolved over the last two years.

“I’m down to 107kg and usually play 111kg, so I want to go in a bit light and see how I handle the pace of the game.’’

New Canberra Raiders recruit Ryan James at pre-season training.

James said he was blown away by how well he and his wife Anna and two young children had settled into Canberra.

“Elliott Whitehead threw out the welcome mat for us and it’s been awesome,’’ James said.

“Culture is massive at the club. Obviously being at the one club forever, you don’t really know of other clubs’ cultures and I walked into the Raiders locker room and it smacks you in the face.

“I can see who sat in my locker before me, I can read about what everyone has done and that’s how you learn about your club.

“It’s been an eye-opener.

“As much as I loved captaining the Titans and the club, I was always the front man and here there is a lot less pressure with such an experienced forward pack and hopefully I can just work on my football.’’

Originally published as New Canberra Raiders recruit Ryan James has been working hard in the off-season