The rookie draft has become a happy hunting ground in the last decade, with clubs trying to unearth a diamond in the rough in the form of mature-aged talent.
 
Since 2005, this route to the big time has yielded a plethora of seasoned stars, including 2014 Brownlow medallist Matthew Priddis, triple premiership defender Josh Gibson and fellow premiership contemporaries Heritier Lumumba, James Podsiadly and Shane Mumford, as well as pin up boys Michael Barlow and Dale Morris.
 
Whilst there has been ongoing conjecture on the future of the rookie draft and the rookie list, there is little doubt that its existence has provided opportunities to players who otherwise wouldn’t have received a chance at the top.
 
Despite being on the Gold Coast SUNS’ list for less than 12 months, emerging star Adam Saad has already pushed his case to be included amid the rookie draft success stories.
 
In a short space of time, the VFL product, who was overlooked in three national drafts before being selected with pick No. 25 in last December’s rookie draft, has quickly silenced the doubters who didn’t believe he had what it took to play at AFL level.
 
It might be early to hail him a downright recruiting coup just yet, given he has only played 16 games, but there is little doubt in the coming years Saad will establish himself amongst a growing list of rookie success stories.
 
After earning a round one debut against Melbourne, Saad quickly established himself as an important cog in Rodney Eade’s back six. His fearless approach to the game and polished foot skills rapidly endeared him to fans who wanted the ball to constantly be in Saad’s hands when coming out of defence.
 
In just his fifth senior game, Saad was rewarded with a NAB Rising Star nomination following a 26-possession performance against Brisbane. A week later he followed up the effort with another 26-possession haul, to go with a disposal efficiency rate of 92.3 per cent.
 
Unfortunately the wear and tear of his first season begun to take its toll after the midway point of the year, eventually forcing his season to a premature close as the dreaded osteitis pubis put the clamps on an eye-catching debut year.
 
With a full pre-season and a comprehensive conditioning program under his belt, it would be unsurprising to see Saad take his game to another level in 2016 and beyond.
 
There is little doubt, along with Dane Rampe, Callum Sinclair and Kane Lambert in recent years, Saad will carry the torch for future mature-aged rookie success stories for years to come.