Video: is Saad's crazy run-up illegal?

Marathon man ... Saad tested the patience of everyone at Westpac Stadium. Source:FOX SPORTS

St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad left many AFL fans scratching their heads after taking the long run-up to ridiculous levels on Thursday night.

The Saints were trying to win over a new legion of fans in Wellington by playing the first ever AFL match overseas, but Saad must not have got the memo after delaying the game for what seemed like an age when taking two set shots at goal late on.

The second attempt, taken early in the fourth quarter, saw the 23-year-old grab a mark 40m from goal before walking back to the centre circle, pausing, and slowly walking towards goal.

While it was great for comedic material, with the Fox Footy commentators suggesting Saad gets his own marching band to play a tune while he walks towards goal, the AFL did actually look seriously at this issue earlier this year.

During the pre-season, the league's umpiring department said they were working with Saad on speeding up his marathon approach to goal.

Umpires are instructed to give a player a warning 20 seconds after awarding the mark, and then call play-on after 30 seconds.

Saad's epic build-ups didn't do him much good - he kicked a behind both times.

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