The Gold Coast SUNS have rewarded Adam Saad and Keegan Brooksby by elevating the pair to the senior list.

Saad and Brooksby both joined the club in last year’s rookie draft and have impressed in their first 12 months with the club.

General Manager – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, congratulated the duo.

“The elevation of Adam and Keegan to our senior list is great reward for effort,” Ashcroft said.

“Both players joined our club as mature players and have well and truly earnt their spot on our senior list.”

Saad had an outstanding first season, the 21-year-old played 16 games for the SUNS in 2015, picking up a Rising Star nomination for his Round 5 display against Queensland rival Brisbane Lions.

Prior to joining the GC SUNS, Saad was overlooked in multiple drafts, but his elevation is great reward for his perseverance and determination to succeed at AFL level.

“Adam had a fantastic first season, he finished in the top 10 in our best and fairest and was recognised with a Rising Star nomination during the year,” Ashcroft said.

In 2014, Brooksby was the best and fairest winner for South Adelaide in the SANFL and later that year was drafted with pick 42 in the 2014 Rookie Draft. He was elevated from the rookie list and made his debut against Hawthorn in round 9 of the 2015 season.

The South Australian has had a unique journey to the big time. Brooksby only started playing football at age 18 for South Adelaide after a promising junior basketball career. His father, Phil, played 278 games for the Panthers and the younger Brooksby credits the influence he’s had on his career.

Brooksby, a mature ruckman, had his first season with the SUNS end prematurely after suffering a blood clot. But Brooksby will return bigger and better in 2016, with a spot on the SUNS' senior list.

“We were really pleased with Keegan’s first season with the club. Keegan impressed us all with his work rate and professionalism. This saw him elevated to the senior list where he managed to play three matches before his season ended prematurely due to his blood clot,” Ashcroft added.

Paperwork for Saad and Brooksby’s elevation to the senior list was lodged with the AFL as part of list lodgement (1) and the pair are now officially on the GC SUNS senior list.