He nearly walked out on the Canberra Raiders two years ago, but Josh Papalii now wants to be a "Raider for life" as he juggles fatherhood with helping the club out of the doldrums.

While his best mate Anthony Milford may donned the Brisbane Broncos jersey for the first time on Saturday, Canberra star Josh Papalii insists he won't desert the Green Machine.

Josh Papalii (left) and Anthony Milford. Credit:Melissa Adams

Papalii said he was comfortable in Canberra and had no intention of following former teammate Milford north, despite his parents moving back home to Brisbane in November.

The back-rower's safety net has effectively been taken out from underneath him as he adjusts to life as a father to four-month-old daughter Khalani-Rose.