BY DAN

The good people of Canberra got an excellent indication that Xavier Savage would be staying in town for the long term. It’s not yet settled, but this is good news for all Raiders fans, setting the Milk up with a potentially elite (and fast!) backline over the longer term.

Canberra have been clear about wanting to keep him in Canberra, and had reportedly previous opened discussions with Savage’s management over the last month. The intent has always been to lock X down before he hits free agency (for 2026) on 1 November this year. It’s clear they see him not only key part of the now, but also of the future, backline of the club.

Well now we got some love heading in the opposite direction. Xavier told the Canberra Times he is ‘happy to stay’ and that:

I’m contracted next year. I haven’t spoken about anything yet in terms of re-signing, but hopefully ‘Sticky’ does give me a buzz – or someone from the club. I’m happy to stay, but we’ll just see what happens I guess over the next month.

The above quote is the first public indication we’ve got that the feeling is mutual, and an unquestionably good statement. It’s the kind of holding statement a player often gives when they’re waiting for management to finalise a deal, and not wanting to go to give away leverage as the details are detailed. It suggests we may not be far from a deal.

Update: some have asked if I’m worried about the “haven’t heard anything. To me that speaks more to Savage leaving the discussions to his manager more than him not hearing anything.

It makes sense for Xavier. Savage has made his bones at the club and has good relations with several players. Over the last year not only established himself with a clear role for the first time in his rugby league career, but also proved that he wasn’t just worthy of a starting spot, but potentially of reaching the potential many of us had dreamed for him, if in a slightly different path. After a period of such uncertainty we can understand the appeal of a longer-term deal. And with representative duties in his present and his future, we can understand the appeal of keeping this good thing going.

This indication is obviously good news for the club if they can land it. Savage was their best, and most consistent winger in 2024. He was first in tries across the club, second in try involvements, third in line-breaks, fourth in tackle busts. He’s made all the improvements requested. His yardage game has improved markedly, reflected in his career high in running metres. He did this through a combination of increased power and more intelligent, refined running approaches. He even improved his defence (tackle efficiency up to a career high 74.6 per cent). He has done all this while keeping his top-line speed, a weapon that the Raiders occasionally use to great effect, and would do well to use more. That he’s done all this despite only being 22 is only more impressive.

But for the Milk it’s not just good news for now. It’s proof that the future isn’t a fanciful dream. Players like Savage are evidence that the Ricky’s ‘buffering’ period of a youth movement could actually deliver a pathway from young talent to proven resource. It’s a more tenuous link; just one data point alongside Hudson Young and Corey Horsburgh of the club being able to push players along the pathway to prosperity.

We still have to wait, but hearing positive movement is better than no movement at all. Canberra have reached out. Xavier seems receptive. Now let’s get a deal done.

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