Gabriella Savage, the 18-year-old sister of Canberra Raiders NRL star Xavier Savage, has signed an NRLW development contract with the club, making the Savage family the latest brother-sister duo in the NRL and NRLW. The contract signing was witnessed by Xavier, who has been a key support for Gabriella since she moved to Canberra to pursue her rugby league career.
Gabriella, a speedy winger like her brother, said she never expected to be in a position to sign an NRLW contract. 'Xavier was actually my witness on the contract, so I was very happy that it was him,' she told The Canberra Times. 'He allowed me to live here in Canberra with him, and he's definitely given me guidance throughout my whole rugby league career.'
The Savage siblings join a select group of brother-sister NRL-NRLW duos, including Ethan and Jasmin Strange, Jack and Indie Bostock, and Jermaine and Evah McEwen. Gabriella credited her mother, Erica, for their family's success and speed, recalling backyard races with Xavier where their mother would say she would catch him one day.
Gabriella has impressed since moving to Canberra, playing two seasons in the Raiders' Tarsha Gale Cup team and starring for the West Belconnen Warriors in their Katrina Fanning Shield grand final win. She has also represented Australian Schoolgirls in 2024-25 and was part of the Queensland under-19s State of Origin squad.
She joins Marley Cardwell, Aaliyah Lomas, and Isabella Piper as development players for 2026. Gabriella acknowledged the step up from junior reps and said she is focused on learning and mental toughness. 'If the opportunity comes, I'll take it with both hands,' she added.
