High flying Raiders cop devastating blow as Xavier Savage succumbs to season-ending shoulder injury

The high-flying Canberra Raiders have copped a devastating blow to their premiership hopes after gun winger Xavier Savage was ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury.

Savage has been a key component of the Raiders' breathless, relentless attacking machine that has turned Ricky Stuart's outfit into likely minor premiers and genuine contenders to break a title drought that has lasted since 1994.

However, the 23-year-old who has scored 12 tries this season will play no further part in the campaign, after the severity of his injury was confirmed by the club, who sent out a statement on Tuesday declaring that Savage had fractured his shoulder in the golden point thriller against the Panthers.

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Savage will this week have his shoulder assessed by a surgeon to determine whether or not he needs to go under the knife, but either way he will not play any further role in Canberra's season.

The winger was injured in the first half of the game that has since been dubbed 'The Miracle in Mudgee' when he was tackled by Luke Garner, Blaize Talagi and Isaiah Papali'i as he brought the the ball back on a kick return.

He managed to play through the pain for the remainder of the first half but was pulled from the field at half-time.

The Raiders clash with the Tigers in Canberra on Saturday afternoon, before closing their season against the Dolphins next week.

Regardless of those results they will finish in the top two and bank a home qualifying final, starting September with their best chance of premiership glory since losing the 2019 grand final to the Roosters.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.