Majak Daw’s remarkable journey back to playing is one that has not only captivated the football world, but also been an absolute inspiration to those around him.
You only needed to watch the vision of Daw’s teammates embracing him during Wednesday’s training session to understand just how much he’s loved at North Melbourne.
“He (Daw) really is the energy of the group,” Shaun Higgins explained on SEN.
“I haven’t played with anyone that’s more loved in any football club.”
Daw is set to play his first AFL game since 2018, when North Melbourne takes on Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
“I think there’s been some unbelievable injuries that people have come back from, but I think the severity of what happened with Majak and the injury was at such a horrific level, that as soon as you get back and even be able to run is phenomenal … let alone play AFL footy,” GM Football Brady Rawlings said on 3AW.
“He’s done a mountain of work; our staff over a couple-of-year period have put so much time and effort and care into Majak.
“We all obviously love him, so we’re rapt to see him get this opportunity.”
Todd Goldstein said he couldn’t be more proud of Daw.
“For us just having him out there is a massive boost for the footy club,” Goldstein said on SEN SA.
“We’re really proud of the person that Maj has become over the last 10 years he’s been at the footy club, and I think there’s a lot of love for Maj in the footy world and our footy club.
“He’s just such a warm and kind and inviting person.”
Goldstein backed Daw to make his presence felt.
“We all couldn’t be happier for him and we all just want him to come in and bring that x-factor that he does,” Goldstein said.
“You never quite know what he’s going to do, but it’s obviously pretty spectacular when he does it.
“If he can bring those attributes and his sheer strength and power that very, very few players possess, he can just focus on that and jump hard at the footy we’ll be pretty happy.”
Rawlings echoed Goldstein’s thoughts, pointing to Daw’s ability to play multiple roles.
“Majak’s aerial stuff is terrific, he’s so versatile,” he added.
“We think he can play all three lines, with his ruck craft, as well as being able to go forward or back.
“It’s the sort of versatility that you like to have in your side and at the moment when things aren’t quite working, you’d love to be throwing players forward or back to mix things up. Majak gives us that flexibility.”
