Xavier Savage faced tough love from coach, returned stronger, became top try scorer, revived career.
Xavier Savage could have left Canberra Raiders headquarters to start packing his bags. Coach Ricky Stuart was ready for the enigmatic winger to find a new club.
So how does he stand inside the building today as Canberra's leading try scorer with a finals dream still within reach? It turns out tough love was just what Savage needed.
Savage had barely been sighted in the top grade for 12 months and returned to club headquarters unfit and out of shape. Stuart's pre-season spray could have gone two ways.