With Essendon confirming reports on Tuesday that Adam Saad has nominated the Blues as his preferred club for next season and for years to come, everyone is now thinking the Blues could be flag contenders next year.
But some might still ask why he’s a great signing. Here’s why he could be a perfect fit for the Blues.
Speed
The Carlton board and the coaches have made it abundantly clear they want to bring in a bit of speed and bounce this post-season. As many AFL teams and fans would know, Saad is one of the quickest players in the AFL. In fact he was Essendon’s fastest player yet again this year, topping at 34.1 kilometres and hour against Sydney back in Round 2. He also filled three of a possible five spots for top speeds in a game for the Bombers.
Saad doesn’t mind bouncing the ball as well, averaging 3.2 bounces per game since his debut back in 2015. He also averages around 344.3 metres gained per game, including 409 metres gained per game this season.
This season wasn’t his best due to some poor performances by the Bombers and because of the coronavirus, but he nevertheless still kept improving through the year and still has that lightning speed. If he can keep this up when (or if) he gets to Carlton, he’ll excite Blues fans and push them potentially into the top eight.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Disposals
Most halfbacks or backmen nowadays usually have to be good ball users, quite often kickstarting the attack from the back. Adam Saad is no exception to this, excelling with not only his speed and bounce but also the number of disposals he gets per game.
Over his career his disposals per game have continued to increase, starting at 17 per game in 2015 – he did drop down to 15.1 in 2016 due to missing half the season – and then increased to 18.9 disposals per game in 2020, a career high. He also averaged a career high in kicks (11.9) and had a kicking efficiency of 75.7 per cent.
Add that to a near career high in rebound 50s (4.5) and a career high in inside 50s (2.9) and he truly is one of the best rebounders in the game. If he gains more freedom to rebound at Carlton, which is what he wants, then he could really live to his full potential at the Blues.
Durability
Most players on the back line are pretty durable, but when they do get injured, they’re out for practically the whole season. Saad is one of these players, except he’s as durable as they get, especially for a man of his speed and size.
Ever since his debut back in 2015 he has missed only 18 games, and those 18 were in his first two seasons. He hasn’t missed a single game since 2017, already passing the 100-game mark in five seasons. Across the streak of 83 consecutive games he’s been on the ground 82 per cent of the time. And this man played in many different roles even in just one game!
Okay, it isn’t as big as some players like Lachie Plowman or Harris Andrews, but it’s still up there with the highest, and the streak of consecutive games is also up there. Blues fans will be hoping that if this continues at Carlton, he could enhance a pretty decent team along with magnifying Saad’s reputation.
However, we still don’t know if he can continue his form and streak in recent years at the Blues if or when he gets there. But I do know one thing for certain: if he does continue to improve his game at Carlton, they’ll officially be back to playing finals footy.
CCT
Guest
Cameron? Hopefully not Ben Brown (too predictable and too soft). Wouldn't mind Tuohy, and Mitch Robinson back
Macca
Roar Rookie
Excuses? About a fictious best 22 put together in 2 minutes? Give it a rest. For the record if the Blues land the recuits they look like getting in the off season and we get a full season (or close enough) out of our key players I expect we should play finals as well - but it's hard to see who comes out of the 8 and teams like Melbourne, GWS, Freo and even the Suns will be around the mark. The Blues could improve significantly and still miss out - it's a tough tight comp.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
A lot of excuses as usual Macca. You are starting to run out of them. Blues don't play Finals next season, they will cop it and should cop it too.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Thanks Macca ..... suppose I could have looked for myself though. Interesting rules ..... hypothetical ..... a restricted free agent makes it known he wants to play for another club. His current club sets the trade value so high that the desired club cannot do the trade and sign the player. The player is then forced to sign another contract with his current club or be traded to a club he is not keen on. If that was tested in court by a player he might well win due to duress and restriction of trade.
Jack
Guest
Hearing we have room in cap for one more big player and we are into de Goey but I can’t stand him ....
Macca
Roar Rookie
Well Don - Stocker spent almost the entire year (his second) away from the club for personal reasons after missing the second half of his first year with injury, Dow (after playing 39 games in his first 2 years) carried a knee injury all year which meant he barely played and Cuningham has had 1 injury after another since being drafted. As for SPS "being pushed to the bench" that has much more to do with my recall and the speed with which I put together the side than anything else. I can change he and Newman over if it makes you feel any better. As for player development - Williamson (taken in the 60's), Fisher (27) and TDK (somewhere in the 30's) seem to have developed well enough. The fact of the matter is there is only 22 spots in a best 22 and the blues have taken 11 first round picks in the last 5 drafts plus have traded in Setterfield & Kennedy who were first rounders in that period and Marchbank who was pick 6 in 2014. Throw in the recruitment of Williams, Saad, Martin and Betts and the established quality players like Cripps, Docherty, Murphy Jones & E Curnow plus nailing some of the later picks (as mentioned above) and you are going to end up with some high draft picks missing out. Oh and this was a best 22 I threw together in about 2 minutes, not the one the Carlton selectors are would pick so don't read too much into it. I could just as easily come up with a best 22 that looks like this; Plowman, Jones, SPS Docherty, Weitering, Saad Murphy, Cripps, Walsh Fisher, C Curnow, Martin Casboult, Mckay, Cuningham TDK, Williams, Setterfield Int Stocker, Dow, Marchbank, E Curnow
Jeff
Guest
macca believe me, my informer tells me the biggest trade since buddy went to Sydney its very big. hint.. can kick Goals, A lot of em... genuine X factor
Casca
Guest
He kicks at 75% efficiency... And his speed means he can jump at least centre line defense structures. On a small ground like marvel this will be particularly impressive
Macca
Roar Rookie
This is from the AFL website Restricted Free Agents Players who are in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their club (that is, in the club’s top nine-10 paid players) are eligible for restricted free agency the first time they are out of contract, if they have served at least eight years with the club. Unrestricted Free Agents Primary List Players delisted by a club are unrestricted free agents but a player who retires or delists himself is not eligible to be a free agent. Players who are not in the top 25 per cent of salaries at their club (that is, in the club’s top nine-10 paid players) are eligible for unrestricted free agency if they have served at least eight years with the club.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Thanks Macca ..... but what has 3 years got to do with it ??
Macca
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't be upset if they don't.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
would be de goey...cant see how they could get that done
Macca
Roar Rookie
Only been at the Bombers for 3 years,
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
For first round picks like Cunningham, Dow, Stocker to not yet be in the established 22 and SPS pushed to the bench makes one wonder why they have not developed. Can we expect Williams and Saad to stagnate? Let's hope they follow the lead of Jack Martin and not the veteran first rounders.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Will be an excellent pick up if it comes to pass. However, someone please explain why if he is out of contract why he is not a free agent?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Lot’s of rumours about Oliver from Melbourne.
Kane
Roar Rookie
If they want a player too then it's a 3rd round pick at best.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Good one Pete. You must be getting confused with your aliases.
Larry Longshaft
Roar Rookie
Sooo I could be right! :laughing:
Macca
Roar Rookie
He would definitely not be "small fry"