Determined to make the most of his AFL chance.

Mid-season draftee Saad El-Hawli might not have delivered on his goal of making an AFL debut in his first season, but he’s driven to turn that dream into reality in 2025.

The Bombers faithful didn’t have to wait long to see why the club had tracked El-Hawli closely for several years before selecting him in this year's mid-season rookie draft.

In his first game for the VFL Bombers, a best-on-ground performance of 27 disposals and four goals in a comprehensive victory over Carlton firmly put El-Hawli in the eyes of supporters for a senior debut.

Overshadowing his sensational showing, however, was an untimely syndesmosis injury sustained in the final quarter – the first major setback in the 21-year-old’s career.

“It gave me an opening into all aspects of footy life, whether it’s in rehab or playing consistent footy,” El-Hawli said.

“I’ve tried to do all the little things to get the most out of myself. It’s helped me come back stronger after my injury.”

After missing eight games, El-Hawli picked up right where he left off in the final two VFL games of the season.

A 21-disposal, one-goal outing in round 21 and a 27-disposal effort in round 22 showed that the Northern Bullants product belonged on the wing – one of the hardest positions in football.

With his outside pace and exceptional ball use key features of his game, El-Hawli is focussing on using next season to springboard into a running role for senior selection.

“I’ve been sitting in a few of Xavier Duursma’s meetings because he’s a fellow wingman,” El-Hawli said.

“(His advice) has been to work hard to get into good positions, and the more you show up, the more you get used. ‘Gia’ (Daniel Giansiracusa) and Cam (Roberts) have been great with my reviews.

“I feel like my next step is to learn all the ins and outs of how we want to play footy at an AFL level and how it’s going to help us become a premiership side. If I can add my attributes to that and become a weapon that the team and the coaches can use, I’m more than happy to do so.”

Ahead of his first AFL pre-season, El-Hawli is looking forward to dedicating his entire focus and energy to football – something which was not possible as a VFL player.

Working full-time at a car dealership during the day, El-Hawli endured what many mature-age recruits have to do in juggling full-time work with the demands of a professional football program. 

Now that he's part of an AFL environment, El-Hawli’s ready to launch into a tough pre-season, with his main aim being to realise his AFL dream.

“It’s going to be awesome not having a 9-5 job. I can just work on my craft and come back the fittest I’ve ever been. I’m excited for everything to come,” El-Hawli said.

“Now that I’m an AFL player, it just gives me that freedom to work on parts of my game and my body to make me a better player.

“I’m not really in it for individual accolades, it’s all great when it comes, but I just want to play a role in the AFL side. When I get my chance, I want to make the most of it.

“It didn’t work out this year, but this has made me hungry for an AFL debut next year. I’m going to put in everything I can and see what happens.”