Ahmed Saad: West Preston-Lakeside’s former St Kilda forward kicks incredible goal in NFL final
AHMED Saad has been a human highlights reel since he joined local footy club West Preston-Lakeside. But even by his lofty standards, a goal he booted during Sunday’s final against Bundoora was something special.
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AHMED Saad has been a human highlights reel since he joined West Preston-Lakeside.
The ex-St Kilda forward has produced so many moments of individual brilliance, his coach Rob Maiorana is no longer surprised when he conjures goals out of nowhere.
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Saad produced arguably his finest moment with the Northern Football League club in the last quarter of Sunday’s knockout semi-final against Bundoora.
The 28-year-old already had six goals to his name when he launched himself into the air, flung a boot at the ball and pulled off an audacious midair soccer goal.
The freakish goal was the second of five Saad kicked in the last term at Preston City Oval to inspire his side to an 18.8 (116) to 9.10 (64) victory.
“You scratch you head sometimes with how he does some of that stuff,” Maiorana said.
“I’m not surprised by it by now. It’s just exciting for the game and for the league.
“I know the crowd was buzzing there in the last quarter. From what I can gather, even the opposition supporters were impressed by the show that he put on.
“The main thing is he just keeps working hard and gets those opportunities.”
Asked how a 175cm player was able to kick such a goal, Maiorana said he was “athletically gifted”.
“He’s got a pretty natural spring as well. He’s got some good tricks,” he said.
“He’s a great athlete, he’s got speed, he’s got all those things.”
The former Saint recorded eye-catching numbers when he attended the AFL draft combine in 2011.
Saad has booted 62 goals from 13 games this year after finishing with 10 in Sunday’s 52-point win.
He has averaged 4.6 goals per match in the past two seasons since crossing from VFL club Coburg.
Scores were tied at three-quarter-time of the semi-final before Saad’s blitz blew reigning Division 1 premier Bundoora away.
“We needed someone to provide that spark, step up, and he did that,” Maiorana said.
West Preston-Lakeside will face North Heidelberg in Sunday’s preliminary final for a shot at Macleod in the grand final.
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