Gold Coast SUNS mature-aged rookie Adam Saad will not play again this season after the club decided it was in his best interests to draw his debut year to a close.
 
The rebounding defender has been hampered by a groin injury throughout the second half of the season, with the ailment reducing his ability to cover the ground and preventing him from producing the high octane runs that captivated the football world earlier in the year.
 
Saad missed three games between rounds 15 and 17 with the same injury, and since returning has struggled to recapture the form that saw him emerge as one of the brightest young talents in the competition.
 
At this stage it remains uncertain whether Saad will go under the knife to find a resolution for his troublesome groins, or whether an extended rest period will be suffice to solve the situation.
 
“Unfortunately for Adam Saad, he’s played his last game for the year,” GC SUNS head physiotherapist Adam Russell told SUNS TV on Tuesday afternoon.
 
“That groin injury that he’s been carrying for the second half of the season has just become a little bit too much and he’s been pulling up worse each week.
 
“At this stage of the season we believe it’s in Adam’s best interest that he has the rest of the year off.
 
“We’re currently talking to a couple of specialists as to what the best course of action is for Adam, whether that’s surgery or rest, that’s still to be determined. But we’re confident that he will have time to have a good pre season.”
 
Swingman Sam Day is a strong chance to take his place against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, despite being carried from the ground last weekend on a stretcher.
 
The 22-year-old was involved in a sickening collision with Essendon’s Mark Baguley, with the Bomber defender’s thigh striking Day in the head in a marking contest, forcing the SUNS from the ground with his neck in a brace.
 
“He was taken to Pindara Hospital straight after for some scans which have thankfully all come back clear,” Russell said.
 
“Sam has had a run around the last two days and we’re confident that he will be available for this weekend.”
 
Charlie Dixon is set to return against the Power at Metricon Stadium if he can prove his fitness at Thursday’s main training session.
 
The key forward missed the game against Essendon after suffering another ankle injury against Richmond, but trained strongly on Tuesday to suggest he is on track for a return this weekend.
 
“Charlie Dixon’s recovering really well from that ankle injury he had against Richmond,” Russell said.
 
“He’s completed some straight line running over the weekend and this morning completed some change of direction.
 
“So all’s going really well, so hopefully Charlie can complete full training on Thursday and be available for this weekend’s game.”