ST KILDA remains "open minded" to re-drafting Ahmed Saad this November after the Anti-Doping Appeals Board dismissed ASADA's appeal against his 18-month suspension.

Saad was suspended for 18 months at the end of last season after testing positive for a banned substance contained in an energy drink he consumed before a game in 2013. Delisted by St Kilda in November last year , Saad will now be eligible to potentially resume his AFL career in 2015. St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said the club was "pleased that Ahmed will have the opportunity to play football again in 2015". While the Saints have offered no guarantees at this year's NAB AFL Draft, which will be held on November 27, they will continue to support him in the meantime. "We are open-minded to the possibility of him returning to the Saints," Pelchen told AFL.com.au. "But, like all players available in the draft, we will make the appropriate assessment later in the year. "Until that time, we will continue to support his welfare, as permitted." Saad continued to train with the Saints ahead of last November's NAB AFL Rookie Draft in the hope of being offered a rookie list position. But the Saints elected to recruit Tasmanian Eli Templeton and Gold Coast midfielder Maverick Weller, and confirm a two-year international contract for US-born Jason Holmes, instead.





Saints captain Nick Riewoldt said on Wednesday he was pleased to hear Saad could return to the AFL next year.

"It's been a really tricky situation for Ahmed, because I think part of the ban has meant he hasn't been able to have that contact with the football club directly. I'm glad to hear he's going to have an opportunity to play in 2015," Riewoldt said on SEN.

"I think that's fantastic news for him, and I certainly hope he gets another opportunity. I'm not privy to the discussions he's had with the football club and where that might go, but I certainly hope he gets another chance."





The AFL Players' Association slammed ASADA's decision to appeal the 18-month ban last December.





In a statement released by his management company Blue Rock Sports, Saad said the decision was a great relief.





"I am relieved that this is all over, it has been a very long and hard 10 months on myself and everyone around me," Saad said.





"I’ll continue training hard to give myself the best opportunity to come back next season."





Saad, 24, played 29 games for the Saints after making his debut in 2012. He kicked 45 goals as a small forward, and earned fame for his time-consuming set shot kicking routine.





Saad's manager Paul Koutoufides said the player was a resilient character and hoped to get another chance in the AFL.



