SUSPENDED former St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad is adamant his AFL career is not over.

Saad was recently hit with an 18-month suspension for taking a banned stimulant, which resulted in him being delisted by the Saints.

"It's been tough on me and my wife as well," the 24-year-old told Channel 7 on Thursday.

"We just got married a month and a half ago, so to go through what we've been going through, and organising a wedding, was pretty tough."

Saad landed himself in trouble by consuming an energy drink on a match-day.

"I wish I had checked from the start, and that's a bit of ignorance from myself, being new in the system," he said.

"Hopefully it's kind of a lesson to all the younger kids.

"I've never had an (alcoholic) drink in my life, let alone take drugs, but it was a mistake that I take full responsibility for.

"I don't think I'm a drug cheat, or took it to enhance my performance or anything like that."

Saad can't train with a football club at any level until February 2015.

He has also lost his role as an AFL multicultural ambassador.

But between now and the end of his suspension he is committing himself to finding a new job and staying in shape, in the hope that St Kilda will give him another chance.

"I think I can make it back," he said. "I'm not injured. Players come back from a year (out) when they do their knee.

"I'm still fit. I'll hopefully be back bigger and better and stronger."

Below: Ahmed Saad lines up for goal in round 19. Picture: AFL Media