Tara Murray
Saad El-Hawli is living the dream.
The former Altona footballer was among the lucky few who was picked up in the AFL draft, with Essendon taking him at pick 13.
Speaking nearly a week after being picked up El-Hawli said it was starting to sink in.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I spoke with them the day before, but being such short notice I didn’t think much of it.
“It’s nice to know that I was playing good footy and everyone at the club has gotten around me.
El-Hawli was training with the Northern Bullants while the draft was being held.
He could see a few people on phones while the draft was being held and the cheers went around.
El-Hawli couldn’t thank the Bullants enough for what they had done for him.
“I knew I was good enough to be on a list,” he said. “They gave me another level of self confidence and there was a lot of belief the coaches put in me.”
While El-Hawli was at training, his family celebrated the news in a now a viral social media video.
He admits there’s a few ‘characters’ in his family.
Among those to congratulate El-Hawli was three-time Richmond premiership player Bachar Houli.
Houli was originally drafted to Essendon to start his AFL career.
“He came over the next day to show his support,” El-Hawli said. “I was part of his foundation for a long time.
“We’ve been on plenty of camps together and a lot of other Muslim events. It’s a bit of deja vu with us both going to the red and black.”
El-Hawli said the Bombers were a real multicultural club and the players were quick to ask about his religious beliefs and how they can support him.
El-Hawli started his career at Newport Power before making the move to Altona. He was part of the Vikings’ 2022 Western Football League division 1 premiership.
“I was just with Altona last year,” he said. :”They[re really happy and everyone at the club was sending me tests
“I must be a good enough person that they want to send texts, it’s been awesome.”
El-Hawli didn’t have long to settle in at the Bombers, making his for the club’s VFL side just four days later.
He finished with 25 disposals.
“It’s been a whirlwind and they’ve been really patient with me,” he said. “They’ve made sure I’m comfortable in the environment.
“I want to do the team things and running the right patterns to take my game to the next level.
“I’ve got a defensive first mindset, for sure.”
El-Hawli said for him his focus was to keep learning on the job and hope that it leads to an opportunity in the senior team.
“
