His need for speed
Saad says hamstring injury not about to slow him down
PACY Gold Coast Suns defender Adam Saad says he won’t hesitate to hit top gear when he makes his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury this weekend.
Saad has missed the past 11 games due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Round 8 against GWS but will play his first senior game in three months in the Suns Round 21 game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium tomorrow.
The 22-year-old is known for his blistering acceleration off the mark and said he had no fears about using his greatest asset upon his return.
“There will be no hesitation at all,” Saad said.
“The rehab guys and medical staff have been unbelievable and we’ve done everything we can to get it right. I tested it out in the NEAFL and it felt fine.
“If I wasn’t able to run fast or sprint in a game I wouldn’t be playing so I’m 100 per cent ready to go.
“I ticked the boxes and I guess it was about playing again and getting that confidence in a game where I can just break away and use my pace, use my assets and once I did that and felt really comfortable.”
Saad spent the past two weeks playing for the club’s reserves, the first time he has ever done so, where he played alongside cousin Zaak Saad.
It was the longest injury-forced break the small defender has endured in his short career but Saad said it had been a crucial learning curve. “It’s taken a while but I’ve learnt a lot about myself and my body,” Saad said.
“Being young you just want to be out there training in every session and playing every game and just working as hard as you can.
“But it’s more about quality than quantity. That’s what I have found out and I guess it’s been about being more controlled during sessions, asking questions to the fitness coaches at the club and seeing what’s wrong and what’s right.
“The older I get the more experienced I’ll get and I’m going to keep learning all these kinds of things.”
Saad said he never considered delaying his return until the pre-season in case he reinjured his hamstring in the last three games, despite aggravating it before what was to be his return in Round 14.
“I love being out there playing with my teammates,” Saad said. “When I reaggravated it I always had my mind set on coming back and finishing off the season well.”