Canberra’s young guns have impressed in the Raiders’ opening trial win over the Roosters – with a host of rookies (with a couple of veterans sprinkled in) proving too much for the Roosters, winning 32-18.
Yes, it was only a trial and yes, the Roosters were without many of their key players – but it was impossible to not get excited at some of the combinations on display from those in lime green.
It was a brave effort from Canberra who lost both Sam Williams and his travelling roommate Matt Frawley, after the former failed a rapid antigen test.
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Savage grabbed the opening try and ended up with two linebreakers, and nearly 150 running meters.
“He’s been electric in every opportunity. He just doesn’t look overawed with any occasion,” Michael Ennis said on commentary.
“Things just happen around this young kid,” he said after the opening try.
“You talk about what coaches are looking for in trials – trials present opportunities. And young Savage has been given the No.1 jersey and a strong performance tonight may just give him the opportunity to start round one in the No.1 jersey for the Raiders.”
But it wasn’t just the fullback who impressed – Adrian Trevilyan, the stand-in hooker and 2019 Peter Sterling Medal winner, scored the second, Brad Schneider, Semi Valemei and James Schiller linked up for the third, while Harry Rushton was lively as well.
Ennis said Savage was “unrecognisable” physically compared to 12 months ago.
“They predicted that at some stage in the coming years that he’d be up to it,” Ennis said.
“But I don’t think they realised how quick he would grasp his opportunity. Physically, he had so much work to do – he was still really slight. He’s worked tremendously hard on his body and his condition, and you can see it.”
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