BY DAN

Our national nightmare is over. At least nearly. The Daily Telegraph is reporting Xavier Savage is sticking around for a time to be finalised. It’s a great outcome for Savage and better for the club.

First of all congratulations to Xavier. It’s been an up-and-down trip for him over the years and it’s always felt like there was only one foot in, both from him and the Raiders. The last 12-18 months have seen him work his way out of that uncertainty, and now it’s clear that he’s both an elite footballer, and has a home. Before the start of last season it would have been a rare person to suggest that he would be in this position, but now he’s signing long term with a clear pathway from club to rep footy. It’s a just reward for the young man, and reflective of his character and his willingness to learn the lessons rugby league, the Raiders, and Ricky have been teaching.

It’s obviously good news for the club too. 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.

He’s only 22, so there’s time for him to improve even more, which is incredible. There were moments in 2024 where he made mistakes – he led the team in errors with 33. But he didn’t let these affect his game, and he has proven more than capable of not just limiting those issues but overcoming them. It’s shown a maturity that is emerging in his game that will be desperately needed by the club with so many young players joining its ranks.

This contract and the next is the best time to be in the Xavier Savage business. By the time it ends he’ll only just be 25 and theoretically entering his prime. There now appears to be such a solid foundation in his game that the sky really is the limit. Whereas once he’d been like a mythical saviour, he is actually now something much more certain and real. Less built on hope and more on the reality that he If he continues to play at this level then the biggest risk is that you’ll miss him for two or three games each year as he heads of for representative duty.

It’s also a boon for the club because he, along with Hudson Young and Corey Horsburgh, is the standing proof that the Raiders can turn this batch of brilliant babies into a premiership winning squad. It’s hardly the strongest evidence – like Horsburgh, Savage was nearly gone until he wasn’t. But whatever the road travelled the destination is clear. Canberra have taken the Carrara clay and turned into a statue that would impress Michelangelo himself. It may not so much be a model but a series of hints and indicators, but its information that can be translated into making sure that Strange, Stewart, Sanders, Savelio and (S)Pattie et al can at least land among the stars.

It’s been a long road for Savage. But for now he has proven himself, he has a long-term home. There is nothing ahead of but green grass and opportunity. Time to let him do what he does best.

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