Dark days are over: Savage's fight back to first grade

Set to string together back-to-back NRL games for the first time in over 18 months, Xavier Savage is ready to put the dark days behind him.

Returning to first grade last week for the first time since Round 10 last year, Savage reminded fans of a time he was one of the most promising rookies in the game.

Following a breakout 2022 season, the 21-year-old was in the box-seat to be the Green Machine's long-term fullback heading into 2023 but that came crashing down when he suffered a broken jaw in the Pre-Season Challenge.

After fighting his way back into Ricky Stuart's 17 for the season opener, Savage knew someone had to make way for Seb Kris' return from suspension in Round 2 but wasn't prepared to give up his jersey after working so hard to get it back.

“I think that was the best pre-season I’d ever had last year, so it was very tough when I got that injury before the season had really started,” Savage told NRL.com.

“It was hard having everyone feel sorry for me because they had all just been commending me on my big pre-season.

“Then I definitely went into a deep, dark place last year when I did two hammy injuries as well.

“I was trying to balance everything and trying to hurry up and get back and it just didn't work out in the end.

"I just want to be bigger and better this year, I'm ready physically and mentally and I’ve worked so hard to get here."

Savage admitted to a tough 2024 pre-season after making just one NRL appearance in Round 10 last year and found the fullback role was beyond grasp after featuring there on just six occasions in NSW Cup last year.

But the 21-year-old is prepared to make the wing position his own after his one try and 122-metre performance on Thursday was enough to get in front of veteran back Nick Cotric and keep his spot for Round 2.

“I had a bit of a rough start to pre-season this year. I had a couple of kegs on me, so I came back a bit like a second rower,” Savage joked.

“And Stick (Stuart) got into me a bit but it was only for the right reasons because he wanted me to be up there with the other boys.

“I was trialling everything at the start, in the centre and then at fullback and wing.

“But in the end, I started training a bit more in the wing position because I wasn’t quite getting there at fullback.

“Stick has showed a lot of faith in me through everything, so where he and the team think I best fit, I'm happy with that.”

Set to return to GIO Stadium as a first grader for the first time in over-18 months on Saturday, Savage said he is excited to take the field again with best mate Kris, who stepped in for him in the No. 1 jersey last season.

Savage said Kris, who has also spent time away from the game while battling with mental health, played a big part in helping him out of a 'dark place' and focus on his return to the NRL.

“I think mentally is where I grew most last year, like I said, I got into a really dark place which is something a lot of players go through,” he said.

“I reached out to people who I knew had been in a similar place where they’re not sure if they even want to do this anymore...I definitely found that place.

“Seb is my best mate here and I talk to him about everything. He has his own story and told me about how he had that year off footy and explained to me what that did for him and that helped me push through it.

“I’ve been lucky to have him and all the boys in my corner through it all.”