Adam Saad Biography

The AFL, Carlton and Adelaide are investigating allegations Adam Saad was racially abused by a spectator who labelled him a "terrorist" during the Blues' loss to the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

"We've just got to educate around making comments like that. At the end of the day, I know who I am as a person and us as a Muslim community," Saad said.

"As long as we can educate the person and move things forward. Those things shouldn't be said, but hopefully, the club and the AFL will investigate and look after it."

Carlton and Essendon agree on a trade to send Adam Saad to the Blues.

As part of the deal, the Blues will send picks No.8 and 87 to the Bombers, who will return picks No.48 and 78 to the Blues.

"Few in the competition are better to watch when in full flight than Adam and we can't wait to see his electrifying pace added to our backline which will be really exciting for our members and supporters," Carlton's list manager Nick Austin said.

"In addition to his attacking qualities, Adam has shown a consistent ability to shut opponents out of the game and it is that flexibility which will really add to our playing list."

Adam Saad requests a to Carlton where he has been offered a five-year deal.

"We put forward a significant offer to Adam and we are disappointed in his decision to pursue a playing future elsewhere," Essendon's list manager Adrian Dodoro said.

"Although we wish Adam all the best, he is not a free agent and therefore a suitable trade will need to be forthcoming from Carlton. Clearly, there is an expectation of compelling compensation for a player of Adam's calibre."

Essendon is reported to be exploring the prospect of getting out-of-contract Tiger Bachar Houli back in the red and black.

Houli shares a close relationship with Bomber Adam Saad, a player Essendon is trying to retain on a four-year deal amid keen interest from clubs including Carlton and North Melbourne.

"I call Bachar my brother, I've looked up to him since he started. We speak once or twice a week and we're very close," Saad said before playing with Houli for Victoria in February.

Ben Brown, Darcy Moore, Easton Wood and Adam Saad are among the group of players whose contract discussions have been paused indefinitely due to the escalating coronavirus crisis that has led to the suspension of the 2020 AFL season.

Richmond and Essendon will unite in a pre-game moment of solidarity to promote diversity before their Friday night clash at the MCG.

Tiger Bachar Houli and Bomber Adam Saad, who are both practising Muslims, will toss the coin alongside their respective club captains.

Both clubs want to use the Friday night stage as a platform to "stand alongside" Houli and Saad to "remind everyone that our great game and our country values people of all cultures and communities".

The gesture comes in the wake of controversial comments by a senator's speech in Federal Parliament earlier during the week.

Nathan Brown will miss the remainder of the 2018 season after he was suspended for three games for his bump that concussed Essendon speedster Adam Saad.

"I wholeheartedly accept the findings of the Tribunal tonight and thank them for their time," Brown said.

"Again, I apologise to Adam and his family. Hopefully he can take the field for Essendon this week."

Adam Saad says he is excited by the prospect of playing finals football with Essendon in 2018.

"If we can have a really good pre-season and play finals next year it’s where I want to go," Saad said.

"To be able to play in a game like that with a big crowd would be so exciting.

"Every player on an AFL list wants to win a premiership and at Essendon we are striving to do that."

Essendon will send a future second-round pick to Gold Coast in exchange for speedy half-back Adam Saad.

"I’d like to thank the Gold Coast Suns for not only giving me an opportunity of a lifetime but also for understanding my desire to return to Victoria," Saad said.

"My decision had nothing to do with the love and respect I have for the Suns, its players, staff and the community that welcomed me, but was solely about my family and faith.

"I wish the club all the very best in the future."

Feeling isolated from his family during Ramadan prompted Adam Saad's trade request from Gold Coast, with the devout Muslim insisting his decision had nothing to do with the Suns.

Saad's brother, Muhammad, briefly lived on the Gold Coast this year to try to support him but also struggled and returned to Victoria after six months.

"Ramadan is the holy month for the Muslims all around the world, it's a month we really look forward to," Saad said.

"When we do break fast … we can break fast as a family together with a lot of food on the table and we feast up. We see each other and we keep each other company.

"For me, I was breaking fast alone, waking up at 4-4.30 in the morning and not seeing anyone … it got to a point where I couldn't do that no more.

"The Gold Coast Suns were very, very supportive during that month. A lot of the players and a lot of the staff fasted and tried supporting me, which I was very grateful for.

"They embraced my culture and all my beliefs.

"Me wanting to come back home has got nothing to do with the footy club, because I love the footy club."

Adam Saad requests a trade to Essendon.

Saad is understood to have informed the Suns that the Bombers are his preferred new home, but the 23-year-old has not completely closed the door on a move to another Victorian club.

Adam Saad says an off-season of training with Australian distance running legend Craig Mottram has helped him to career-best form.

"I feel like it helped my game massively," Saad said.

"I was training with him twice a week and I feel like I've improved my game and my endurance."

Saad said working on his endurance was crucial to more consistency in his game.

"At the start I was struggling a bit because I hadn't run 40 minutes straight in my life," he said.

"To get that under my belt now is something I pride myself on."

Adam Saad has currently had 24 bounces, the most by any player ever recorded by Champion Data after the first three games of a season.

"As soon as I get it and take two steps and bounce it, that's when I know I can really take off and create the play," Saad said.

"A lot of my teammates and coaches say I bounce it too many times, and I'm trying to work on that, but bouncing it is almost like a habit now and that gets me going."

Adam Saad re-signs with the Suns until the end of 2018.

"I'm really privileged to pull on the jumper every single week and play for this great club," Saad said.

"The club took a chance on me in the rookie draft two years ago.

"Rocket's (Rodney Eade) been a big influence for me and has played a key role in my footy career.

"He backs me in, has a lot of faith in me to play me every single week, and I just love playing with the players on the field as well.

"We're building something special … I feel like we're heading down the right direction."

The AFL's Multicultural Program will expand to 18 player ambassadors in 2016 and will also include two female players.

Sabrina Frederick-Traub and Darcy Vescio will be joined in promoting some of the many diverse backgrounds in Australia’s Game by Brisbane Lions Vice Captain Dayne Zorko, Geelong’s Tom Hawkins, Fremantle’s Tendai Mzundu, Gold Coast SUNS players Adam Saad and Tom Nicholls, Sydney Swan Aliir Aliir and Western Bulldogs player Jason Johannisen.

The new additions in 2016 join existing Australia Post AFL Multicultural Player Ambassadors David Zaharakis (Essendon), Stephen Coniglio (GWS GIANTS), Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn), Shem Tatupu (Hawthorn), Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide), Jimmy Toumpas (Port Adelaide), Bachar Houli (Richmond), Nic Naitanui (West Coast) and Lin Jong (Western Bulldogs).

“The expanded list of 18 ambassadors, representing 13 AFL Clubs and two female Clubs, will play a crucial role in raising cultural understanding, inclusion and participation at all levels of Australian Football,” AFL General Manager Game and Market Development Simon Lethlean said.

Adam Saad has a run for the first time following hip surgery late in the season.

"I started running today - it was my first session since the Essendon game, so slowly, slowly building up," Saad said.

"I'm going to start riding the bike a bit more, up the mountains, and keep off my legs."

After playing 16 games in 2015, Saad says he needs to continue to work hard to keep his place in the side.

"Now that I've got a taste of AFL footy, you've got to work even harder to play games next year because we're going to have a full-strength side," he said.

"I want to get as fit as I can and gain another three or four kilos in the gym."

Adam Saad will be rested for the Suns' remaining two games after succumbing to a groin injury.

Saad has played 16 games in his debut season after being elevated from the rookie list.

The club is still determining the best course of action, and is considering surgery.

"To Adam's credit, he has persevered through an on-going groin complaint but just hasn't been able to impact the contest to his best ability," Suns coach Rodney Eade said.

"In the interests of Adam and his long-term football health, we'll look to improve his fitness and ensure he is ready for day one of pre-season training."

Playing Richmond at the MCG on Sunday is about so much more than winning four points for Gold Coast's Adam Saad – it's about meeting a man he's looked up to for nearly a decade.

When Saad was selected by the Suns in last year's Rookie Draft, one of the first men to extend their congratulations was Tiger Bachar Houli. It meant the world to Saad.

Houli was the first Muslim to play AFL when he ran out for Essendon in 2007. Since then, St Kilda's Ahmed Saad (no relation) has become the second and Gold Coast's Saad, the third.

Since being drafted, the 21-year-old dashing defender has kept in regular contact with Houli via phone and text.

Saad hopes to finally meet him in person on Sunday.

"I looked up to him when I was younger and I just wanted to be like Bachar when I grew up, and here I am today – I'm so grateful," Saad said.

"It means a fair bit to play against Bachar … it's going to be a special day on Sunday."

Adam Saad is NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round five.

Saad had 26 disposals against Brisbane and disposed of the ball at an efficiency rate of 81 percent.

Saad's burst of pace and kicking skills have always been his bread and butter, which is why a move from small forward to defence at VFL club Coburg last year reaped such great rewards.

That coaching masterstroke by Peter German redefined Saad as a footballer and boosted his chances of being recruited, which finally happened for him at pick 25 in last year's rookie draft.

In five senior games, Saad is averaging 17 disposals a game, as well as four marks and tackles.

"I've played against some senior boys in the VFL and I think that's fast-tracked my development," Saad said.

"I still can't believe I'm living my dream and playing AFL. It's tough and it's quicker, but all the hard work is worth it."

Adam Saad makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast at the MCG with 13 disposals (8 kicks and 5 handballs), 4 marks, 4 tackles and a goal in a 26-point loss to Melbourne.

Adam Saad is rewarded for an impressive NAB Challenge series with promotion to the Suns' senior list.

"Adam's elevation to the senior list will come as no surprise to our players or support staff, having impressed everyone with his attitude to training and preparation since his arrival to the club," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"His fearlessness and willingness to take the game on complemented our counter attack off half-back throughout the NAB Challenge games.

"Adam's continued improvement has added great depth to our backline group, and we look forward to watching him push towards an AFL debut appearance."

Bachar Houli inspired him, and now Gold Coast rookie Adam Saad hopes to carry the torch and inspire fellow Muslims to reach the top level of the game he loves.

"It means so much. It's so multicultural this game," Saad said.

"To see more Muslim players get a chance, it gives the younger community in Melbourne or all over Australia, hope they can achieve their dream and play AFL.

"Hopefully a few more can come on to lists."

Gold Coast selects Adam Saad with pick No.25 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"Lightning quick and a penetrating kick, he'll give us a bit of run out of defence, but maybe some forward impact as well," Suns list manager Scott Clayton said.

"He can play on a man, but he can carry the ball and hurt the opposition."