The experienced defender has had a long time to think about Carlton's disappointing end to the 2024 season - a campaign which went from a roar to a whimper.
Last year, when Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay fired up front, Jacob Weitering held the fort down back and Patrick Cripps controlled the midfield, there was a feeling Carlton could do something special.
Then injuries struck and the Blues dropped off, limping into finals before making a meek elimination final exit at the hands of eventual premiers Brisbane.
But for Saad, the lessons were simple.
Adam Saad knows what the Blues need to do better this year. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)
"It's always disappointing, losing the game and getting knocked out of finals. But we just needed to get better," Saad told AAP.
"Obviously Brisbane winning, was the team that was the benchmark in the competition and for us here, just the simple message was to keep getting better and putting in the hard work over the pre-season, and I feel like we're doing that.
"It didn't end the way we wanted to but it's a really exciting year ahead.
"We don't make any excuses with injury or whatnot. We base it off a system, and everyone's playing their role, and obviously that night was disappointing, and all of us just needed to get better.
"And that's what we've been doing over the last three, four, five months."
With Carlton's best players either at or approaching their peak, now looms as crunch time.
"We've got big belief that our best can beat anyone," Saad said.
"It's just playing our way consistently and earning the right to be one of those good, top four teams and just being us, and playing our way a lot more consistently."
Saad, 30, and his fellow defenders will have to cover the loss of Nic Newman, who will miss the year after rupturing his patella tendon.
But he has relished some new faces, especially "special" No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith, refreshing things.
Jagga Smith has made a big early impression in Adam Saad. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
The proud local is making sure the newbies know their way around - so long as they stay north of the river for their food and coffee.
"These are my areas. I love Coburg, Brunswick, even Hadfield and Glenroy," Saad said.
"I tell them I don't go past the city, unless it's game day."
Saad dealt with hamstring injuries last year but hasn't missed a beat this pre-season.
He is also ready to complete the back half of his pre-season during Ramadan, which starts in late February.
"I've already spoken about it with the crew here - just putting the plan in place and knowing what we have to do," he said.
"Just the attention to detail of the prep goes another level.
"But I'm fully prepared, and it's a month we all look forward to as Muslims - just it's a bit early this year, which is awesome."
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