THE career of Ahmed Saad may already be over, with the former St Kilda forward considering surrendering to an extended drug ban.

Saad is said to be shattered after ASADA announced it would push the AFL Appeals Board to have another six months added to his 18-month suspension.

The anti-doping body on Wednesday night notified the AFL that it wants Saad to cop the maximum two-year term for taking the banned stimulant methylsynephrine, contained in the energy drink "Before Battle".

ASADA's appeal has been criticised by former boss Richard Ings, who took to Twitter to argue a two-year penalty would be overkill.

The Herald Sun understands Saad, who had only been in the AFL system for two years, has so far spent close to $20,000 trying to clear his name.

HIRD 'STILL PAID' BY BOMBERS

A two-year ban would almost certainly end Saad's career, given any club who drafted him at the end of 2014 would have to wait until August, 2015, to play him.

Asked about the ASADA appeal yesterday, Saad only said: "There's nothing to say."

His manager Paul Koutoufides said the 24-year-old was in shock.

"He thought it was a joke, to be honest. I thought it was a joke, it's got to be a joke. I can't believe it," Koutoufides said.

"He said 'Are you serious? What does it mean?' and I said: 'We've got to start all over again'."

Saad, 24, consumed Before Battle before games prior to being tested, but has consistently argued he had no idea the product was banned after being introduced to it by a trusted 'mentor" and 'family member'.

"They want to kick him while he's down. They want to bury him. He's not a drug cheat, let's put it in perspective," Koutoufides said.

ASADA PAIR 'CELEBRATED' RESIGNATION

Ings used social media to criticise the appeal, saying ASADA should concentrate on bigger issues. The body's investigation into possible use of performance-enhancing drugs at Essendon remains open.

"An 18 mnth ban is a significant and approp ban already," Ings tweeted.

"18 month sanctions versus 2 yr maximum is splitting hairs over degrees of fault. This is a case that I would put in the win column and move on to more important matters."

But history suggests Saad is in trouble, with VFL player Matthew Clark serving a two-year ban for taking a similar substance. His original penalty of nine months was increased after ASADA appealed.

Saad yesterday appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court where he was fined $700 without conviction and had his licence cancelled for 14 days for driving while suspended.

The AFL Appeals Board will sit at a date to be fixed.

News_Rich_Media: St Kilda player Ahmed Saad has spoken to the media for the first time after receiving an 18-month ban from AFL for consuming a banned substance.

SAAD STORY - WHAT THEY SAID:

PAUL KOUTOUFIDES (Ahmed Saad's manager):

"They want to kick him while he's down. They want to bury him. He's not a drug cheat."

RICHARD INGS (Former ASADA boss):

"An 18 month ban is a significant and approp(riate) ban already. This is a case that I would put in the win column and move on to more important matters."

AHMED SAAD:

"There's nothing to say."

AFL PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION:

"The Players' Association is surprised and disappointed. The decision to appeal doesn't afford due respect to the expertise and standing of the AFL tribunal who handed down the decision."