One of the most remarkable football stories will unfold on Saturday, when Majak Daw returns to AFL football. 

Having last played in Round 23, 2018, Daw’s comeback from a mental health battle and serious physical injuries is nothing short of incredible.

The 29-year-old was told of his return by captain Jack Ziebell at training on Wednesday.

“It’s been an incredible journey, and this feat that he’s going to achieve this weekend is going to be one of the great stories in AFL footy,” Ziebell said.

After the session, Daw sat down with North Media to speak about his remarkable journey.

“Mix of emotions,” Daw said.

“I’m pretty excited that I get to play again.

“It’s been a long time. It’s been a testing few years. A test of my character and resilience, and how I can bounce back from setbacks.”

Daw paid tribute to his support network for getting him back to this point.

“It’s the ultimate reward for my hard work personally, and with my mental health battle,” he said.

“I realised when all the boys got around me that I couldn’t have done it myself.

“There’s so many people involved. The footy club, my family, the doctors, my psychs, s & c (strength and conditioning) staff, and having the backing of Shawry (Rhyce Shaw) is huge.”

Daw was close to making a remarkable return in 2019 before a hamstring setback ended his season, and was named in the Round 1 team in 2020 before being ruled out with cold symptoms. More recently, he tore a pectoral muscle in the gym.

But he says the wait was worth it for the elation of the moment at training.

“I’ve had a feeling that I was close, but I didn’t know how close I was,” he said.

“Shawry didn’t really give me any idea the last few days, but it was the best way to be able to have that really organic moment with my teammates.

“It was pretty special having someone like Ziebs telling me in front of the group that I was going to play. He’s been there with me the whole time.”

With all the setbacks however came doubt in whether he would reach his goal of returning to the AFL.

“There were times when I wondered when my moment was going to come,” he admitted.

“The work I’ve done with the psychiatrists was to not try and take on too much.

“I just had to take each day as it comes.”

The moment he runs out on to Metricon Stadium this weekend is one that Daw has worked towards for over 18 months.

“I’ve played the moment over in my head,” Daw said.

“Who would have thought that I’d be making my return up here and not in front of my family?

“But when I set my goals of making my return to AFL footy, it didn’t matter where and when it was going to happen.

“I can’t wait to get out there and repay the club back for what they’ve done for me.

“Giving me a contract last year, not knowing whether I was going to play or not was huge.”

Daw hopes that his story of resilience can serve as an inspiration to everyone who might be struggling.

“A few weeks ago I shared my story with the boys, coming to Australia, playing AFL footy, my battle with mental health,” he said.

“I want to be able to help people and give them hope that they can do things that they thought would be impossible.

“Life’s pretty hard. There are obstacles that get in the way, and we are seeing that with everything going on with COVID.

“There are a lot of people struggling, but if you have the belief that it’s gonna turn, it can. I was really determined to make it back to help other people.

“For me to be able to work back to playing AFL footy, hopefully that gives people hope.”

And there is one fan in particular that Daw is looking to impress on Satuday; his nearly one-year-old son Hendrix.

“It’s amazing. I love my little man, I’m so proud of him,” he said.

“He’s growing each day. He’s starting to say Dadda and that sort of stuff.

“Luckily the game is in the afternoon and he can see me on telly. I love being a dad to Hendrix.”