THE CALL was made from David King on FOX Footy during Carlton’s win over GWS that the consecutive As in Adam Saad’s surname was indicative of his potential All-Australian status come season’s end. 

But while the exhilarating Blue has earned deserved plaudits and praise for his work on the field, he commands just as much respect for the work he does off of it.

Ahead of his 150th career game this afternoon, it’s easy to forget that Saad - who plays the game with such freedom that it sometimes looks too simple for him - had to do it the hard way.

It was eight years ago when Saad took the eyes of recruiters (particularly those from the Gold Coast Suns) for his work at Piranha Park, just a couple of kilometres up Sydney Road from the place he now calls home.

It was those years where he missed out on three national drafts and two rookie drafts before getting the chance to live out his childhood dream that fuels Saad’s natural gratitude and humility.

“To be able to come out and play 150 [games] is pretty special,” Saad said this week.

“You remember Piranha Park, being there seven or eight years ago. I thank Peter German and the Coburg Football Club for giving me the opportunity to play my best footy and get drafted.

“You can’t say much more: it’s a special feeing… my family and I have spoken about it a fair bit, but we’re trying to keep it as low key as possible.”

Then again, how exactly does the Saad family - of which a number which be at the Gabba this afternoon - keep things low key.

“It’s a good question! There’s so many of us,” he said.

“We don’t speak about it for hours and hours, but we acknowledge it’s a big week. At the same time, we know there’s a job to do.

“My daughter is nearly two years old now. She’ll be at the ground as well for her first AFL game: a can’t wait for that.”

The flying No.42 is a much-loved figure at IKON Park ever since arriving on the eve of the 2021 season, not just for his on-field talents which have been celebrated throughout the week.

It was during his time at Essendon where the Adam Saad Pathways program came to fruition, and has continued to go from strength to strength each year.

This week marked the conclusion of the Adam Saad Academy: a six-week, multicultural program that focuses on development on the footy field but just as much as off it.

“The aim of it is to help participants become better people, instilling good life habits and teaching them to develop their footy skills as well,” he said.

“We want them to be role models, in their households and their respective community. At the same time, we’re teaching and reminding ourselves of the habits we need to be good and respectful people.

“It’s something I love doing and I’m passionate about.”

In a week where Saad has been able to reminisce on his football journey, it’s easy for him to hark back to where things began for him and what he would’ve loved when emerging through the ranks.

It’s why he has lapped up the progression of the program in recent seasons, which ran during Covid (“it’s just not the same as being in person”) and has seen Saad continue to give his time outside of his usual training hours. 

For Saad, he sees it as an opportunity to “never forget where you come from”.

“I remember when I was a young kid coming up and wanting to get drafted, but we didn’t have many of these programs coming through at the time,” he said.

“We do it for the right intentions. As a Muslim, it’s to please God first and foremost and also to give back to the community.

“We’ve got Hamza [Ali, Diversity and Inclusions Programs Officer] who has been amazing… sometimes I have the conversation with Hamza who tries pulling me back and telling me to go home and rest, but it’s something I love doing.

“I’m pretty much at every session, it’s a passion of mine. I try to ponder and be grateful for the things we have, and to have something named after you is something I don’t take lightly at all.

“Seeing the development of participants… whether in school or in footy or their character, that’s the most fulfilment you can get.”

Sessions range from 90 minutes to two hours, incorporating a skills component on the ground before an education component on a wide array of topics (nutrition, goal setting, recruitment, team values and cultural awareness all among them).

While the external recognition has come for Saad, winning the Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award last year, it’s his wish to do good for the community that fuels the 28-year-old.

“At the end of the day, we would love some participants to end up on AFL lists, but if they come out as better people and learn one thing from our program that they can instil in their lives, that means we’re doing our job,” he said.

“I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and keep giving back to the community to try help these kids come through. The aim is to help them improve their footy skills, but also in life and their character.

“No matter where you come from - whether it’s your race, culture or religion - we welcome anyone.

“Hopefully these programs are here to stay for years and years to come.”