Adam Saad

Adam Saad (born 23 July 1994), is an Australian rules footballer, playing for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League, often referred to as the AFL. Saad, of Lebanese heritage, is one of two practicing Muslims in the AFL, with the other being Bachar Houli.

Saad’s career began as a teenager with the Calder Cannons, then following an AFL TAC Cup, joined Coburg in 2013. After struggling between Senior and Development level football, he established himself as one of the VFL’s leading small defenders, winning Coburg’s best and fairest award in 2014, sharing in a tie with Daniel Venditti. He was also included in the VFL (Victorian Football League) Team of the Year.

His strong form at the 2014 AFL State Combine testing, led him to be drafted by the Gold Coast Suns Football Club with pick 25 in the 2015 rookie draft. Known for his precise kicking, ability to break the lines and cut angles to evade opponents, Saad made his AFL debut for the Gold Coast Suns in round 1 of the 2015 season and kicked one goal. In round 5, in 2015, Saad was nominated for the best 1 st year AFL player, “Rising Star Award” after his team’s win over the Brisbane Lions where he had 26 touches. He played for the Gold Coast Football Club from 2015 to 2017.

At the conclusion of the 2017 AFL season, Saad requested and was granted a trade to Essendon for a future 2nd Round draft selection, paid to the Gold Coast Football Club to move his preferred destination to the Essendon Football Club. Saad was one of three exciting Bomber recruits from the trade period, coming to Essendon from the Gold Coast for Essendon’s 2018 second-round selection. Early in 2018, Saad played in the pre-season for Essendon, exciting teammates and fans with his defense, positive run and carry, and enthusiasm. In 2018 he finished fourth for the Crichton Medal count and is definitely the player to watch being apart of the senior Essendon side in 2019.