Nothing gets GIO Stadium heaving like young fullback Xavier Savage producing a piece of magic, but Canberra’s 20-year-old knows his role is so much more than flashy moments.

The Raiders’ rookie has looked more like a regular NRL starting No.1 with each week, culminating with Sunday’s two-try assist, 154m performance against St George Illawarra where his side might well have struggled to win without him.

But just as important was Savage’s ball security, producing a zero-error game for the first time in 10 outings.

Having sat under Queensland State of Origin representative Ben Hunt’s bombs all afternoon and taken big carries on a slippery day, it might have represented a big step forward for Savage, who reportedly recently penned a contract extension with the Raiders through the end of 2025.

Since taking the No.1 jersey full-time when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad copped an injury, he’s churned out 159m per game, up from 81m in his career until that point.

While a creative speedster playing fullback might always generate excitement with individual brilliance, Savage acknowledged doing the team thing was his main role.

“Everyone wants big, fancy plays, but it’s the little things that matter more,” he told reporters.

“Like taking those tough carries out, supporting the big boys in the middle and just always being around the ball.

“That’s what I’ve tried to focus on every week and doing those little things and then the fancy stuff comes along with it.

“Coming up against Ben Hunt’s kicks, it’s tough, tough gig. 

“‘I’m pretty happy with my performance, I’m just sort of backing myself a bit more now and getting comfortable, and hoping to improve every weekend.”

But that doesn’t mean the enthusiastic Savage doesn’t like making magic happen, jumping for joy on Sunday when a perfect grubberkick found Canberra winger Albert Hopoate for a clever try.

“It’s a little skill that I’ve tried to work on, just being in that fullback role, being another option to do stuff like that, not just the halves,” he said.

“I’m backing myself, bringing that little bit of junior footy out of me.

“Growing up it was normally grubbers for myself … I’ll just put the kick in and see what happens.”