Carlton has announced Adam Saad will not be offered a contract in 2027.
Saad played 110 games for Carlton - and 219 AFL games, with his other outings split across Essendon and Gold Coast - and he was noted for his bounce off half-back, six times leading the league in bounces per game, most recently in 2024.
"As a kid growing up just down the road from Carlton, I never took it for granted that I got the chance to play for this club in front of our incredible supporters," Saad said.
"The 'woof' became something really special to me, and I want to say a huge thank you to all the Carlton community for embracing me from day one.
“I leave this club so grateful for the experience I've had, the friendships I've made and will now work through what the next chapter looks like for me.”
The high point of his career was a 2022 All-Australian season and was also nominated for the Jim Stynes Community Leadership award in 2021 for his off-field work, engaging multicultural kids via a pathways program.
Carlton list boss Chris Davies thanked Saad for his contribution in the navy blue.
"Adam was a real difference maker for our football club during his time, both with the way he played and the way he carried himself," Davies said.
"His speed and ability to rebound out of defence gave our team so much drive. In the locker room, he had the perfect balance of professionalism and lending a hand to educate the younger players, whilst also being able to build meaningful friendships off the field.
“The connection he built with our supporters was something special. What he has done in the community through the Adam Saad Pathways has been remarkable and really tells you everything about the person he is.
"He will always be welcome at IKON Park."
