Raiders recruit George Williams intends to "do great things" in the NRL and he need look no further than fellow Englishman John Bateman for the blueprint.
The 25-year-old Test halfback, a two-time Super League title winner with Wigan alongside Bateman, touched down in Canberra on Friday and was greeted by sweltering heat and oppressive smoke.
Despite the conditions, Williams is keen to test himself and hopes to make an impact like 2019 Dally M Second Rower of the Year Bateman, who was vital to Canberra's grand final charge in his first NRL season.
"If you don’t believe in yourself then nobody else does, I've always thought that. I'm looking to do great things," Williams said.
"Batty [Bateman] last year was unbelievable, wasn't he, and if I could do something like that that'd be pretty unbelievable. But I'll keep my head low, work hard and see what's what."
Williams isn't ignoring the pressure that comes with joining a premiership force, and although he's confident, he doesn't believe he's guaranteed the No.7 jersey.
Grand final halfback Aidan Sezer has departed for Super League club Huddersfield but Sam Williams and Matt Frawley are other playmaking options for coach Ricky Stuart to consider.
Obviously there's a lot of hype around Canberra but within the four walls we'll keep it humble as we can
George Williams
"I'm under no illusions... I've got to find my feet first and I'm not presuming I'm picked round one," Williams said.
"I've got to work hard, I've got six-to-eight weeks now to prove I'm good enough to play round one and that's what I'll be doing."
As for what Stuart has imparted on him so far, Williams said: "Standards, really. I think it's a massive thing: don't just be happy with what they achieved last year.
"Obviously there's a lot of hype around Canberra but within the four walls we'll keep it humble as we can, work hard."
The contingent of Englishmen in the Raiders ranks - Bateman, Ryan Sutton, Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead - were key in Williams's decision to sign with the Green Machine for three years.
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"It helps when people are inside the club and tell you what it's about," said Williams, who is living with Sutton as he looks for his own place.
"Talking to Don [Furner] and Sticky [Stuart], they're always going to make the club sound good. But I said, 'Is it real what they're saying to me?' and the other English boys backed it up 100 percent.
"There will probably be times throughout the year where I miss my family but those boys will get around me and I'm sure I'll be fine."
Due to the hazardous smoke in the nation's capital, the Raiders will relocate to Queensland's Sunshine Coast for a 10-day camp starting Thursday.
It's a perfect chance for Williams to get to know his new teammates and build some combinations.
"I need to get used to all the names, I'm still forgetting some of the boys' names, there's that many players and coaches," Williams said.
"[The camp] will be pretty good for team morale."
