MAJAK Daw has given a frank assessment of what he needs to do to earn his AFL debut, saying he must improve his work rate, marking and consistency.

Daw became the first Sudanese-born player to be listed by an AFL club when North Melbourne selected him in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft at the end of 2009.

But in three seasons on North's rookie list, the 195cm ruckman/forward is yet to be elevated to the Roos' senior list despite compiling a freakish highlights reel with Werribee in the VFL.

Daw told Fox Sports' AFL 360 on Tuesday night what he has to do to earn a spot in North's senior team.

"[North coach Brad Scott] wants me to get involved in more contests and take more marks," Daw said.
 
"I think I just need to run out games a bit more … and be a bit more consistent."

Scott made it clear last Saturday that Daw's task will be made harder by North's big man depth, telling 3AW that in-form utility Cameron Pedersen was in line for a senior call-up before Daw.

Daw said 2012 had been a "pretty big year" for him given his club-imposed suspension in February for lying to Scott about breaching rehabilitation protocols, and the knee injury that delayed his start to the VFL season.

"I'm only 21 and I've got a lot of growing up to do. I think experiencing those kinds of things early on in my career … I'd be lying if I told you it was pretty easy to deal with," Daw said.

Daw also spoke about the pressures associated with being the AFL's only Sudanese-born player.

"I do receive a lot of attention and I just try to embrace it," Daw said.
 
"I think I'm in a unique situation coming from a different background, and I look at that as a positive.
 
"I do get a lot of external pressure, but only have to listen to people at the footy club who know what they're talking about and give me advice."
 
"But I think I've got to be the sensible one and decide which [pieces of] advice are important to me, and which are not."

Daw will represent Werribee in the Foxtel Cup Grand Final against WAFL side Claremont at Patersons Stadium on Thursday night.

Nick Bowen covers North Melbourne news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick