IF FAMILY support counts for anything, Gold Coast debutant Adam Saad is in for a blinder against Melbourne on Saturday.
Saad has completed a whirlwind four months to be named as one of five players to line up for the Suns for the first time against the Demons at the MCG.
And the Coburg product will have no shortage of friends and family to see his lifelong dream come true.
"I've ordered 100 tickets," an excited Saad said.
"I was going to order at least 200, but didn't want to go overboard.
"At least 100-110 of them will be there at the 'G, so yeah, excited to play in front of them.
"I've got some mates down there who are pretty crazy, so they might have a little 'Saady Army' sort of thing."
Saad, 20, was taken by Gold Coast at No. 25 in last year's NAB AFL Rookie Draft and quickly impressed coach Rodney Eade with his run-and-carry out of defence.
He was elevated to the senior team last week and will join draftees Jarrod Garlett and Touk Miller and recruits Nick Malceski (Sydney Swans) and Mitch Hallahan (Hawthorn) as Suns' first-gamers.
With Richmond's Bachar Houli and St Kilda's Ahmed Saad (no relation), Saad is the third practising Muslim on an AFL list.
He said missing the draft in previous years had only inspired him to make it all the way.
"It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid," he said.
"Missing out those previous years just makes it a bit sweeter. I just can't wait for Saturday to come.
"I had confidence in my ability to break the lines.
"I'd speak to the coaches on how I could improve and as my fitness got up and I got fitter and stronger I had a goal to play round one and, obviously, we're here."
Miller was selected at No. 29 in the draft and the former Calder Cannons skipper has impressed during the NAB Challenge with his suffocating forward pressure and composed ball use.
"I'd say out of 10, about 100 at the moment," Miller said of his excitement levels.
"I'm pretty rapt at the moment and still trying to contain my excitement. I'm sure it'll probably come out once the game starts."
