Dashing defender Adam Saad’s future at Essendon is uncertain as opposition clubs circle the out-of-contract speedster, according to AFL Media’s Callum Twomey.
The 26-year-old’s management had previously opened talks with the club to re-sign on a longer-term deal but those talks have stalled since the COVID-19 contract freeze.
With contract discussions resuming in recent weeks and Saad still without a deal for 2021, Twomey believes there may be a chance he leaves Essendon at the end of the season.
“This is a big watch because it’s not fait accompli that he re-signs with the Bombers,” Twomey said on AFL Media’s Trade Desk.
“Obviously earlier in the year he opened talks for a new deal, and it was upwards of four years before the COVID-19 contract freeze hit the competition and things have stalled since then.
“I know that other clubs are looking at this situation very closely and thinking there might be a chance they could get him out of the Bombers.
“He’s one of the game’s best half backs, he’s in scintillating form this year and should be a top five player in their best and fairest at Essendon so he’s been an amazing pick up for them.
“We know what a damaging player he is with ball in hand and every club in Victoria would want him so there’s a big watch on Adam Saad for where he sits with the Bombers.”
Saad, who joined the Dons from Gold Coast in late 2017, has had another fantastic season for Essendon, playing in all 15 games and ranking in the competition’s top 10 for total metres gained.