“Truly amazing” was the best way former Coburg and Calder Cannon footballer Adam Saad could describe his rookie listing by the Gold Coast Suns.
As he stood outside Metricon Stadium having fulfilled his dream of being drafted, Saad still could not believe he was now on an AFL list.
“It only feels like I am here for a couple of weeks, so I still cannot believe it and get into my head that I have been drafted.”
2014 was a breakout year for Saad, who relished his move to defence after playing nine senior games in his first season at Coburg as a forward in 2013.
His form was recognised this year by playing all 18 senior games for the Lions, sharing the clubs best and fairest with Daniel Venditti and gaining selection in the Peter Jackson VFL Team of the Year – the first Coburg player since 2011 to do so.
Saad was with family and friends last Wednesday as his name was read out by Gold Coast at pick 25 in the AFL Rookie Draft.
Just over 24 hours later the former West Coburg junior was on a plane to Queensland to join his new club, with the fact he had to move interstate not worrying him.
“I just wanted to opportunity; I did not care where I went.
“Obviously I am going to get home sick, and it is going to be tough, but I will visit my family and they will visit me.”
Saad had no time to sit around and ponder his new career path, hitting the training track with Gold Coast at 8:30am Friday morning.
“I was happy with that as it is something that I always wanted to do.
“It was a two hour skills session, and it was really tough with the humidity, the sun and the heat, but it was good, I pulled through.”
Apart from dealing with the conditions, Saad also had to quickly adjust to his star studded list of new teammates.
“I still cannot believe I will be playing in the same side as Gary Ablett.
“There is Ablett the captain, Nick Malceski, Dion Prestia, David Swallow - it is amazing, it is still a bit surreal.”
Coburg coach Peter German was quickly on the phone to Saad after he was drafted to pass on his congratulations.
“He said he was very proud of me, and it was well deserved that I got my AFL opportunity and all the hard work started now,” Saad said.
Saad has for a long time been recognised during his journey on the talent pathway. Back in 2011 he represented the World Team at the AFL U16 Championships in Sydney, where he received the MVP award for his division (pictured).
The following year he went on to play 17 games for the Calder Cannons, with the likes of Joe Daniher, Jonathan O’Rourke, Matthew Dick and Liam McBean his teammates.
While he saw those teammates go on to be drafted by AFL clubs at the end of 2012, Saad headed to Coburg -where he had played one game the previous year as a 23rd player - to keep his AFL dream alive.
Averaging 20 disposals a game in 2014, Saad will be the third practising Muslim on an AFL list, joining Bachar Houli and Ahmed Saad.
- CLICK HERE to read a great article from Aicha Saad, sister of Adam, which features on the Gold Coast Suns website.
- CLICK HERE to see Adam chat to the Gold Coast website
Last Modified on 11/12/2014 08:00