Devout Muslim Adam Saad has had to deal with unique challenges living away from family

ADAM Saad’s desire to be traded to Essendon is more than a football decision with the devout Muslim facing challenges no other player in the AFL would understand.

Adam Saad is the first devout Muslim to play AFL away from his home state. Picture: Michael Klein

ADAM Saad has faced challenges no other player in the AFL would understand.

The natural reaction to Saad’s inevitable departure from Gold Coast is that the Suns have botched the handling of a potential star.

Fair enough, too, considering he re-signed at the start of the season.

Saad, 23, will get to Essendon, most likely in exchange for the Bombers’ 2018 second-round selection.

CHAT RECAP: WHY SAAD DEAL COULD RUIN STRINGER TRADE

TRADE TRACKER: EVERY CONFIRMED DEAL

TRADE BUZZ: WHY DONS GAVE UP PICK 11 FOR SMITH

TRADE BLOG: RECAP ALL THE NEWS FROM DAY 5

But what has become clear is that Saad’s trade relates more to the unique demands of his faith than any failing on the Suns’ part.

He is the first devout Muslim to move away from his home state to play in the AFL.

Yet despite all of the Suns’ support structures around him, the cultural sensitivities of his religion have proved insurmountable.

If he wants to meet a future wife it must be someone from within his tight-knit Muslim community, introduced to him by his family or a religious community member.

Gold Coast’s Adam Saad is set to be traded to Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis

When he fasts at Ramadan — not eating or drinking from dawn to dusk — he does it without his community.

Suns assistant coach Dean Solomon joined him in his fast this year.

Saad grew up in Coburg with a family network that helped back his football ambitions but also underpinned his religious beliefs.

His brother Muhammad moved to Queensland to play some NEAFL games this year but when he returned midyear, Saad was desperately alone.

As his manager John Meesen told the Herald Sun, he basically felt alone and away from his Muslim family and friends.

“Gold Coast have been really good with their support and understanding,” Meesen said.

“But when he finished games there would be a whole heap of family around everyone else and he might not have anyone.

“Then he goes back home not having seen anyone and goes back to an empty apartment and it’s just him.

“He is used to having 30 or 40 family around him all the time, so it’s been a bit of an adjustment.”

Not only did the Suns identify Saad after he was overlooked repeatedly in drafts, they should be lauded for their support for him.

“He is a very loyal person and if Gold Coast were located in Melbourne there wouldn’t be an issue,’ Meesen said.

“He wanted to show loyalty to ‘Rocket’ (former coach Rodney Eade) and once he left he said, ‘My brother is not here any more, let’s see if I can get home’.

“It’s a life decision.”

Living away on the Gold Coast has been tough for Adam Saad. Picture: AAP

Trading for Saad using next year’s second-rounder means the Dons can still use this year’s Nos.24 and 29 draft picks in some way to try to secure Jake Stringer.

List managers Adrian Dodoro (Essendon) and Scott Clayton (Gold Coast) had fruitful discussions about a deal on Saad this week.

Carlton also has strong interest in Saad and is monitoring the situation.

Gold Coast is a multicultural club with a strong indigenous representation and strong player welfare and it has become clear that Saad is a unique case.

“There is some cultural sensitivity in his circumstance,” Clayton said of Saad.

“We have great respect for each other (and) Adam’s been great. He loves our footy club, but there are some very strong bonded family issues we’ve worked through over the last few years and we’ll continue to do so.

“I’m not sure what that will bring in the next little bit, but certainly we’re doing everything we can in regards to Adam’s position.”