Essendon GM of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro has revealed how a family connection helped the Bombers land Adam Saad during the 2017 trade period. 

Saad, who requested a trade from the Gold Coast Suns after three seasons to be closer to his family in Victoria, had several clubs chasing his services.

But it was the Bombers who won his commitment, securing the talented speedster in exchange for a future second-round pick. 

At the time, Dodoro told essendonfc.com.au that Saad “slipped through to our hands” because “we probably knew him too well”, elaborating on his comments in this week’s episode of Dodcast. 

“Adam’s uncle was a guy by the name of Saad Saad. He’s a country legend. I’ve had a friendship with ‘Saady’ (uncle) for many years. Going back to when Adam was about 10 or 11 years of age, he kept telling me how good his nephew was, and that he was going to play League footy,” Dodoro said. 

“I can actually recall Adam playing against my son – East Keilor versus Coburg, under-10s or under-11s. Watching this kid run around, he was very small but very quick and dynamic. 

“Through the relationship, we got to know the Saad family really well. I knew Adam’s father really well, and along with him and his uncle Saad, we caught up a few times and said a long way out that we wanted to get him to Essendon. 

“He didn’t make it easy for us, because he had some options up his sleeve, and we had to put together a compelling case for him to get to Essendon. 

“It’s been a long journey, but we finally got him.”

Despite Dodoro’s long-held interest in him, Saad was overlooked in the 2014 national draft, making his way to the Suns via pick 25 in the 2015 rookie draft from VFL side Coburg. 

Dodoro said he was cautious about Saad during his eligible draft year, but those concerns were erased after his move interstate. 

“Coming through Calder, he had speed and game sense, but there was always a question mark on his resilience,” he said.

“There was also a massive question mark on his aerobic capacity. He went to draft camp and didn’t test great, so he didn’t get drafted, but went and played at Coburg and had a fairly good year, and then Gold Coast picked him up. 

“I’ve got no doubt the turning point in his career was getting drafted and going to the Gold Coast, because it turned him from a boy into a man. You could see him grow, and his maturity and football abilities were catching up to each other.” 

Saad has since thrived in the red and black, missing just one game and securing consecutive top-four finishes in the Crichton Medal. 

The 25-year-old has been just as impressive off the field in another testament to his growing maturity, launching the Adam Saad Academy to foster the next generation. 

He’s held in high regard by club staff and teammates, with many fasting with him during the month of Ramadan last year.

“It’s a reflection of him as a person, the way he’s matured,” Dodoro said.

“Everyone loves him and highly respects him. He’s opened his doors at home to everyone. A lot of the boys have been over there for the big family feasts (during Ramadan), which is absolutely outstanding. They’re a very generous family, great people.

“What he does with his academy with the youth is actually fantastic, and it’s going to get bigger and bigger. Essendon will always support the academy that he’s put together. 

“He’s been a great fit for us and it’s exciting to see the way he plays the game. He’s got his best footy ahead of him.”

Dodcast is brought to you by Orchard HRO, the club's official recruitment and list management partner. Subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.