<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335241</docID> <postdate>2024-12-13 12:13:45</postdate> <headline>Raiders add flyer to long-term list of young talent</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-335242" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20240907172159154415-original-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="1038" height="692" /></p> <caption>Exciting teenager Xavier Savage has extended his stay with Canberra until the end of 2027. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Jacob Shteyman</b> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Once on the brink of being forced out of the Canberra Raiders, Xavier Savage has capitalised on a break-out season to seal his long-term future in the nation's capital.</strong></p> <p>The promising winger has signed a two-year contract extension, lengthening his stay until the end of 2027, the NRL club announced on Friday.</p> <p>Featuring 24 times in his fourth season in first grade in 2024, the 22-year-old scored 15 tries - topping the Raiders' try-scoring standings - as the club narrowly missed out on a top-eight finish.</p> <p>Revelling in career-best form, Savage said the decision to stay in Canberra was an easy one.</p> <p>"I'm clearly very happy here and I am happy to stay," he said.</p> <p>"I'm very happy with how I went last year but I've definitely got a lot more left in the tank.</p> <p>"This has become my second home now. I love Canberra and I'm trying to build a legacy down here."</p> <p>It hasn't all been smooth sailing at the Raiders for the Cairns-born speedster.</p> <p>At the end of the 2023 season his NRL dream was in limbo with coach Ricky Stuart admitting he contemplated letting Savage go following an injury-maligned campaign.</p> <p>But Raiders CEO Don Furner said Savage showed his desire to work hard and take his game to the next level in 2024.</p> <p>"Xavier is still very young at age 22 and we know he still has his best football in front of him," he said.</p> <p>The signing bolsters the Raiders' stocks of exciting young backs with the club locking down versatile fullback Kaeo Weekes through to 2027 earlier this off-season.</p> <p>Young halfback Ethan Strange has committed to the club until the end of 2028, while exciting teen fullback Chevy Stewart has an option to stay through 2027.</p> </body>