A try-saving tackle on Brisbane forward Ben Te'o in Sunday night's 30-16 trial defeat could reap NRL dividends for young Canberra utility back Daniel Vidot.

Rookie Canberra coach David Furner made special mention of Vidot's tackle on Te'o and said his young forwards had acquitted themselves well against Brisbane's more seasoned pack.

"The exciting thing for us was the young kids we were able to put on and for them to get a bit of a taste against NRL players," said Furner who trialled 25 players using two different forward packs.

"We had guys like Phil Graham and Glen Turner who haven't played footy for a while through injury from last season and they were excited just to get back on the paddock and have a run."

Asked if any of the young guys had gone better than he hoped, Furner gave Vidot a rap.

Vidot, a member of Canberra's under-20 side which beat Brisbane 28-24 in last year's grand final, scored eight tries in 14 games from fullback and centre in 2008.

"He stopped Te'o at the line from scoring what looked a try for all money," said Furner.

"He made a very good tackle and the confidence that gives a young kid.

"I played him in the centres as well where he took on big (Israel) Folau."

Furner, taking the reins from Neil Henry, said Canberra, the entertainers of 2008, would still throw the ball around in 2009.

But after adding some genuine size in the forwards the Raiders will also play the hard-yard game.

"There's a time to move it and a time to go forward," said the former Raiders forward.

Dave Shillington, Stuart Flanagan, Glen Buttriss and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs give Canberra plenty of bulk up-front.

"We're pretty competitive in a lot of positions and all our halves went well tonight.

"Young Josh McCrone has never played NRL and he was put on the edge and got tested a couple of times but he scored a try and showed glimpses of what it takes to play NRL."

Furner was pleased to see Graham make a successful comeback from a knee reconstruction.

"Phil played three games last year after doing his knee in round three or four," he said.

"The idea was just to ease him in at fullback and let him get his hands on the football to get some confidence back.

"We didn't get any injuries which was pleasing and now I can cut the squad back to 19 players.

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