Majak Daw says he is as confident as ever heading into the preseason after a career-best year.

The North Melbourne defender made the switch to the backline after spending much of his career as a forward/ruck, and believes knowing what it takes to be a regular AFL player has eased the pressure as he enters his tenth pre-season.

“It just makes things easier going into a preseason because I know what my spot looks like next year, what I have to do and the things I have to work on in the off-season,” Daw told SEN.

Able to use his strength, height and athleticism, the 27-year-old quickly became one of the most impactful defenders in the game, and will do anything to improve.

“I feel like I belong out there,” Daw said.

“Playing with teammates like Robbie Tarrant and Scott Thompson, you’ve got guys to back you in.

“Come the start of next season, I would have done the work, I know what I need to do, so it’s just about going out and playing.”

Daw played a personal-best 18 games this season; a big improvement on his previous best of nine in 2016.

Both North and Daw have been forced to be patient over the years, but now he’s fit and firing and hopes to give back to the club.

“I probably took longer than most to get to 50 games,” Daw said.

“I got drafted with Ben Cunnington and I think he’s played 150-odd games now.

“It was a bit of a humbling start to my footy journey, but early on I was really inconsistent and I wasn’t getting enough output.

“It’s hard for the coach to back you in when you’re in and out of the side and they don’t know what they’re going to get from you each game.

“(Brad Scott) backed me in over the years, so it’s only fitting that I repay that faith back this year.”

Listen to Majak Daw's full interview here: