ST KILDA coach Scott Watters believes Ahmed Saad's positive drug test is an "isolated incident" and no other Saints players are at risk of having breached the AFL Anti-Doping Code.
Saad is eligible to play this weekend as he awaits the results of his B sample test, but the 23-year-old has not been named for St Kilda or VFL affiliate Sandringham.
Watters refused to comment on the small forward's welfare, saying only; "I'm not willing to discuss how one of our players is feeling right at the moment".
But pushed on whether there was a possibility other Saints players could have consumed the energy drink which contains a banned substance, Watters bristled.
"I think it would be very misleading for you to lead this conversation down that path," he said. "This is an isolated incident."
The Saints have confirmed that Saad used a product that is permitted for use out of competition but is not allowed to be used in competition.
He is contracted for next season, but faces a ban of up to two years if he has breached the AFL Anti-Doping code.
The Saints flew out of Melbourne on Friday morning ahead of their clash against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
Watters said the mood among the players was positive and they were looking forward to getting away as a group after a testing week.
Captain Nick Riewoldt (foot) and veteran midfielder Lenny Hayes (hamstring strain) have both been cleared to play after doubts over their fitness.
Riewoldt has floating bone in his foot and faces a clean out at the end of the season, while scans cleared Hayes of any hamstring damage.
Promising forward Spencer White underwent successful wrist surgery on Thursday for an issue he has played through this season with.
"It's still disappointing on a level, we were really keen to get him a taste at the end of the year," Watters said of the young key forward.
"We still know he's a developing player, but we prioritised day one of pre-season as being more critical to his development.
"He'll be right to go very shortly."
More to follow Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
