After a quiet fortnight, Majak Daw responded by turning in a quality outing for Werribee on Sunday.
In tough conditions and with a ruck duo of Mark Jamar and Jake Spencer to face, the Kangaroo was one of Werribee’s best.
RELATED: Werribee Report Card
Daw’s 49 hit-outs, 13 disposals, eight tackles and seven clearances was the result of rediscovering what led to his purple patch of form earlier in 2015.
“The last couple of weeks I was a bit stagnant and got dictated to by my opponent too much,” Daw explained to NMFC.com.au.
“So it was about getting back to what I was doing before that, being proactive and staying aggressive, on the move.
“I was competitive today and when I bring that part of my game, everything else takes care of itself.”
For the majority of the year, Daw had been spending his time forward with stints in the ruck.
At Casey Fields, the equation was flipped around for one of the first times this year. Knowing this during the week, the big man did everything possible to prepare.
“It changes the role a little bit, and playing against Jamar and Spencer, I know they’re experienced quality players,” Daw said.
“I knew I was going to have my hands full, so during the week I spoke to Russian (Alex Ishchenko, ruck coach) and Goldy (Todd Goldstein) to see what advice they had for me.
“They both told me to stay on the move and work them (the opposition) over around the ground, getting the game on my terms.”
RELATED: Majak Daw's player profile
In the injury-enforced absence of Daniel Currie, Eric Wallace has spent the last six weeks in Werribee’s senior side.
Playing with a new ruck teammate has been an experience Daw has appreciated.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing with Beast, we relate to each other and we can work off each other really well,” he said.
“We both play differently to the general ruckman; we’re both athletic and move around. These last few weeks have been really good to play with him.”
Daw’s return to form has come just as the Kangaroos round into improved performances of their own. They boast a four game winning streak.
A fortnight ago was Daw’s chance to break into the North side, as Drew Petrie missed one match through suspension. But it was the worst possible time for a form slump, and the missed opportunity has stuck with the 24-year-old.
“It’s been in the back of my mind,” he admitted.
“I know I’ve got to be ready when my opportunity comes. When there was one, Blacky (Aaron Black) was more ready than I was.
“It’s disappointing, but it reiterates what I have to do … that I have to keep playing consistent footy so when the opportunity does come, I’m ready for it.”
