Electrifying defender Adam Saad provided a much-needed spark for the Gold Coast SUNS in the second half of Saturday’s QClash loss to Brisbane, taking the game on when his side needed to play high-risk, high-reward footy in order to slash a big half-time deficit.

After passing concussion testing in the second quarter, the elusive 22-year-old showed his trademark dash, taking a round-high 12 bounces to go with 15 disposals, four rebound 50s, five inside 50s and 475 metres gained (344m in the second half).

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Saad also set up two goals and had the opportunity to put the SUNS ahead after another dazzling run, but unfortunately his shot sailed just wide of the mark.

Despite a positive second half, the Coburg product said he still had a lot of room for improvement in his own game.

“I copped a knock to my head, just went inside and did some tests. But I came out in the second half and there’s always room for improvement,” Saad told SUNS TV on Saturday night.

“There’s things in my game that I want to work on and I’ll go watch the tape during the week and see what I can work on and just keep going, improving on the track and hopefully take it over to game day.”

Not only will Saad be looking to improve from a personal standpoint, the entire SUNS outfit will be after a 20-minute lapse to start the game cost them the chance of registering a round one victory.

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After the game, Saad admitted it was a far different Lions outfit to the one the SUNS faced in 2016, with their manic pressure around the footy and team-first mindset improving significantly.

“Yeah they did (have more pressure), especially in the first half,” he said.

“They were just coming forward with speed and closing space but it’s just with AFL footy now you’ve got less time to make a decision and under Chris Fagan, the Lions have improved.”