Justin "jks" Savage is an Australian CS2 player, probably the best one Aussies ever had. He was a part of those Renegades at StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, won IEM Katowice 2022 as the stand-in with FaZe, helped G2 win both IEM Katowice 2023 and IEM Cologne 2023, even helped resuscitate Liquid. But now at 29 years old, jks may need to think about returning to Australia. With his experience, he could be a valuable player for an Australian team. It's a tough decision for him, but it might be the right time to consider it.
jks’ career highlights
Jks’s journey started in Australia, where he was recognized as a top player. He later joined international teams, starting with Complexity and moving to G2. In 2020, jks joined Complexity after fruitful years with Renegades and 100 Thieves, and although they didn’t win any major titles, he had a solid performance. Despite his efforts, the team did not reach the success they hoped for. jks was eventually benched.
jks’s next major team was G2. In 2023, he helped them win both IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne, one of the biggest tournaments in CS. However, shortly after this success, in November 2023, G2 decided to bench him. This was a blow to jks, despite his important role in the team’s success.
The Liquid era
Next, jks joined Liquid. He had some good performances and helped the team make the Major playoffs. However, once again, jks found himself benched. He was often the player swapped out, despite his good performances. His versatility allowed him to play different roles, and he was always a solid performer. Yet, he was seen as the easiest to replace and bring new IGL Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek.
Now at 29 years old, jks might find it hard to continue playing at the highest level. The chances of him returning to Tier 1 teams are slim. But there are still opportunities in Tier 2, and teams like FlyQuest could be a good fit.
Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill, jks' former teammate and now commentator, shared his thoughts on jks' career during a podcast on Talking Counter. He said, "Justin got to be done at Tier 1, man. It's got to be joever. It's over now. The way G2 ended and the way this one ended, it's over." SPUNJ's words reflect the harsh reality of JKS's situation in the top-tier scene.
The tier 2 offers and Australian scene
Before joining Liquid, jks had Tier 2 offers. Aleksandar "kassad" Trifunović invited him to join BLEED Esports, and Into the Breach was also interested. These opportunities showed that jks still had value in the esports world, even if Tier 1 teams were not calling him.
Looking at the Australian scene, FlyQuest could be a good place for jks. The team has had its ups and downs, but it is in need of an experienced player like jks. With jks' help, they could have a much better chance at making it. FlyQuest’s main goal is to qualify for a Major.
After the recent roster changes the current FlyQuest look like this:
jks’s stats in the last 6 months
In the past six months, jks has posted a rating of 5.7, with a 0.61 kills per round (KPR) and 64 average damage per round (ADR). These numbers show that jks is still a valuable player. Even though he hasn’t been playing at his peak, his experience and skill are still clear.
Should jks consider returning to Australia?
At 29 years old, jks might have to leave Tier 1 teams behind. But he can still play at a high level in Tier 2. FlyQuest, an Australian team, could be the perfect place for him. With his experience, he could help them reach new heights and possibly qualify for a Major.
It’s a big decision for jks, but it might be the best one for his career. If he returns to Australia, he could lead a new generation of players. Whether it’s FlyQuest or another team, jks still has plenty to offer.
jks has had an impressive career, but at 29, his future in Tier 1 seems uncertain. However, he still has a lot to offer, and returning to the Australian scene with FlyQuest could be a great move. With his experience and leadership, jks could continue to make an impact.
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