THERE is no doubt Canberra Raiders Joel Thompson and Josh Miller will feel comfortable in Orange this week – they're not far from home.

The duo originally hail from Forbes but are in Orange this week with the Raiders for the NRL trial against the Brisbane Broncos.

This is Thompson's first year with the Raiders after moving from the Melbourne Storm.

The 19-year-old is keen to make his presence felt at Wade Park on Saturday night.

“It's good to start 2008 out here playing my first trial game against the Broncos,” Thompson said.

“Hopefully I'll get a few family and friends to the game.”

The former Australian Schoolboy is one of a handful of under-20 players who have been training with the first grade squad.

The former Red Bend College student said he has settled in well at Canberra and has enjoyed a challenging pre-season under coach Neil Henry.

Thompson has impressed Miller in the pre-season.

“He's very switched on for a young bloke,” Miller said of Thompson.

“I think he's going to have a good year and be really successful at the Raiders.”

Miller, who made his first grade debut for the Raiders in 2004, is looking forward to playing a game so close to home.

The 25-year-old said he remembers how excited he was when league stars would visit Forbes and Parkes when he was young and he's glad the Raiders can do that now.

“I always enjoy coming out here and bringing the NRL out to places where a lot of people don't get to see it,” he said.

“They don't get to see the stars they watch on television very often. It's good to bring the game to them.”

They might be here for a trial match but Miller said the Raiders are still keen to win.

However, Miller knows it won't be easy coming up against the Broncos.

“You want to go away with the win but we're mainly out there to work on combinations and everyone getting a run under their belt,” he said.

“We'd like a good first hit-out and hopefully we come out injury-free.”