By Adrian Proszenko
Copyright brisbanetimes
During his formative sporting years, Savala could do it all. When it came to Australian Rules, he was in the same academy squad from which current Sydney midfielder Errol Gulden graduated. In rugby, he counted the likes of Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii, Tallis Duncan, Will Penisini and Tolu Koula as his NSW Schoolboys teammates. When playing cricket in the first XI for Scots College, he was a fast-bowling all-rounder.
And then there’s rugby league. It’s tempting to push the narrative that he slipped through South Sydney’s fingers, given he was briefly a member of the Coogee Randwick Wombats in their district league. However, it would be disingenuous to suggest he would wear anything other than the red, white and blue.
“I was always destined to play rugby league and I wanted to play rugby league for the Roosters,” Savala said. “I just love the Roosters, all my mates go for the Roosters in the area where I’m from. It’s sort of a Sliding Doors thing now that Nick Davis is our kicking coach and he actually did a bit of work with me when I was younger … at the Swans Academy.”
Savala may have chosen league over AFL, but there remains an Australia Rules representative in the family. Younger sister Lola is a member of the Swans Academy and is considered a promising prospect.
