It’s no secret that it has been a difficult start to the season for the Gold Coast SUNS, with an avalanche of injury concerns and lapses in effort in large chunks. But in the last six quarters – the second-half against Sydney and the full four-quarters against Fremantle – the tide has started to turn in the SUNS' favour. And a big part of that turnaround is Adam Saad.
 
The mature-aged rookie teamed with second-year rebounding defender Kade Kolodjashnij to provide Gold Coast with enormous drive out of the back half against Fremantle at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
Saad was arguably the SUNS' best player in their hard fought seven-point loss to the Dockers, gathering 25 possessions at an efficiency rate of 80 per cent, six rebound 50s and five tackles.
 
Despite another loss to start 2015, the 21-year-old VFL product believes the impressive performance against the ladder leaders was a reward for an increased level of effort and intensity across the last three weeks.
 
“Top of the ladder and to lose by seven points is probably a big positive for us. But I think it has come over the last couple of weeks, we’ve put a big emphasis on effort and pressure and trying to keep it in our forward line,” Saad told SUNS RAW after Gold Coast’s narrow loss to Fremantle.
 
“I think we’ve taken a massive step forward. I think the most important thing is effort and we’re really improving in that area. And we’re just trying to build that brotherhood out on the field.”
 
Not many players in their first ten matches at AFL level have captivated fans quite like Saad has. Through dare, dash and drive, Saad has stung the football word with his audacity, and left them wanting more.
 
It appears at times that the polished small defender plays without a navigation system. He takes off in one direction before waltzing into the complete opposite direction. Saad’s bravery with ball under arm and a net of opposition players around him is simply part of his DNA, although he has benefited from the confidence Rodney Eade has instilled in him.
 
“I guess if I see half a gap, I just like to take players on and play on instinct. I’ve got the license from the coach so I just do it when I can. My teammates like it when I do that – it opens the game up,” Saad said.
 
With such a comprehensive injury toll, Saad and other young players like Kolodjashnij, Touk Miller and Sean Lemmens have been forced to wear the brunt of the load. But with the bye next weekend, a chance to regroup and refresh for the back nine presents itself.
 
“It’s a much needed rest, go home see the family and refresh before getting into the second half of the year,” Saad said.
 
“Week to week we’re trying to get through, but we’ve some good medical staff here. We recover well. I’m going okay.”