“The hard work will pay off.”

It’s a saying most aspiring footballers would still remember from juniors, and in Vivien Saad’s case, one proven spot on.

The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos’ newest player has shown her talent in games, but her rapid rise all stems from the extra work on the track.  

“A little known fact with Vivien is she organised at 7.45am every Monday morning to come in for a kick,” AFLW coach Scott Gowans revealed.

“She knew kicking was her issue and all through winter she came in and did those sessions for half an hour and slowly improved.

“She works so hard. She went away, took the lessons and learnt.”

Saad played 15 games for Melbourne Uni in 2019.

The former basketball’s development so impressive, that when Jess Duffin announced her pregnancy, North’s recruiters applied for special permission to add a new player to the list.

“If you work hard in your game, good things come to you,” Gowans said.

“The pleasure on her (Saad’s) face when she got told was really special.”

The 27-year-old officially became the Roos’ 31st listed player, but she's very much in the mix for senior football.

“She’s a very aggressive team-defence orientated player,” Gowans added.

“She’s an undersized ruck so might struggle a little at the hit-outs, but is very good around the ground, an elite mark, (has) great hands and brings others into the game, which is very important.

“I think she’ll provide something to the group. She’s got an infectious personality, and I think she’ll certainly play some AFLW games this year.”