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.
The promising winger has signed a two-year contract extension, lengthening his stay until the end of 2027, the NRL club announced on Friday.
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.
Revelling in career-best form, Savage said the decision to stay in Canberra was an easy one.
“I’m clearly very happy here and I am happy to stay,” he said.
“I’m very happy with how I went last year but I’ve definitely got a lot more left in the tank.
“This has become my second home now. I love Canberra and I’m trying to build a legacy down here.”
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing at the Raiders for the Cairns-born speedster.
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.
But Raiders CEO Don Furner said Savage showed his desire to work hard and take his game to the next level in 2024.
“Xavier is still very young at age 22 and we know he still has his best football in front of him,” he said.
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.
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.
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