The Raiders have uncovered another gem - and he's only going to get better.
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At 90kg dripping wet, Xavier Savage was constantly targeted by the opportunistic Manly defence on Thursday night, but the 19-year-old handled the challenge with aplomb playing a major role in Canberra's shock win over the Sea Eagles.
His dash across the goal line saved a Brad Parker try midway through the first half which might just have changed the complexion of the game. It kept the Raiders in the match, and from their they built a half-time lead which was never squandered.
"The effort they put in tonight to get me that win, it was an unreal feeling out there," Savage said after the game.
"Far out, I knew it was going to be fast but I didn't think it was going to be that fast. I was cramping up at the end there.
"I've got to get used to it now, it's the start of something big. Definitely I'm happy to get bashed around every week as long as I'm playing footy, the game I love."
Savage barely slept the night before Canberra traveled up and back to snatch a priceless two points at Brookvale Oval.
"I was sitting in my bed looking at the ceiling and I was like far out, I can't believe it's going to happen tomorrow night," Savage said.
"On the plane on the way out, I sat next to my cousin Sebastian Kris and he was just telling me, chill out, enjoy it have fun, go out there and play the game you've been playing your whole life.
"I was definitely nervous, once I got out there and had that first run, I got bashed around a little bit I was like yep, I'm here now, I've got to start accepting that I'm good enough to be here."
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Less than 12 months ago Savage was still in the midst of his final year at high school. Earlier this year he wasn't even playing fullback, rather slotting in at centre late in the season during the Raiders' under-19s SG ball premiership win.
Long-term injuries to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Bailey Simonsson have opened up an opportunity for the 19-year-old and he clearly wants to take his chance.
"The best way to learn is by being out there," Stuart said.
"I don't like throwing young players in to play NRL when you're going through this type of difficult period, when you're losing games of football.
"The senior boys got around him, those boys were fantastic with Xavier all week, I told him first thing Monday that he was going to be playing so I could give him as much time as possible to sink in and prepare."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
